SHREWSBURY TOWN are one of those sides who are constantly cursed by punters as they are the epitomy of inconsistency, but the New Meadow outfit should be welcomed with open arms at 5-6 (bet365) to get the better of Hereford United on Saturday.
Paul Simpson's men have got their promotion bid back on track thanks to five wins from seven games, form which is a far cry from their autumn slump that saw them triumph just once in nine outings. Automatic promotion looks currently beyond them though – they lie six points off the top three and have played more games than most sides around them – but the way they are playing they could force themselves into that elusive spot.
They beat Barnet comfortably in midweek, with Steven Leslie bagging his third goal in four games, and his partnership with Dave Hibbert – who has 14 for the season – up front is giving them a much-needed edge and they can fill their boots against a Hereford side who are awful on the road.
The Bulls have won just one of their 14 away trips – at Northampton on December 1 – while they have lost nine and although they have recently claimed back-to-back wins, against Lincoln and Torquay, a visit to Shrewsbury represents a much tougher assignment and their mini run will come grinding to a halt.
Dagenham & Redbridge are in freefall, with their play-off bid in tatters following a run of four straight defeats – and eight losses in 12 – and they host a rampant BOURNEMOUTH side who continue to battle against adversity as they close in on a promotion spot.
They have won three from four despite not being able to name a full squad for any of those matches thanks to a crippling injury list and they should be backed at 9-5 to win in London.
Eddie Howe's men have had a tough recent run, but victories at Crewe and Rotherham, as well as a home success over Notts County suggests they are flying and with the return of Sammy Igoe to their ranks on Saturday, it's time to take advantage of Ladbrokes' generous price.
It's amazing how many sides win their next match after the departure of their manager and BRADFORD look to be a side to get involved in at 10-11 (Skybet, Betfred) to pile further misery on Blue Square Premier-bound Grimsby Town.
The Bantams haven't won on home soil since October and a run of six defeats in eight matches convinced Stuart McCall his time was up and the decent fellow did the decent thing and fell on his sword after losing to Bury last Saturday. A clash with the struggling Mariners could be just the filip Bradford need to get their season back on track and in turn make it 21 games without a win for the men from Cleethorpes.
It's not beyond the realms of possibility for DARLINGTON to win at Morecambe given they have shown vast improvement during the past fortnight and could be worth a sniff at 11-2 (bet365).
They beat Rotherham for the second time this season and were on the brink of defeating Lincoln in midweek only for the Imps to bag a 97th-minute equaliser and with the likes of Tadgh Purcell, Gareth Waite, Mor Diop and Gary Dempsey impressing of late I can honestly see them getting something from their trip to the Shrimps, who have won just once in seven.
