LV BET Preview: North and South Play-Off Semi-Finals

By Oliver Osborn

The National League's official betting partner LV BET provides the lowdown on all the key matches.

Find out all you need to know ahead of Vanarama National League North and South Play-Off Semi-Finals.

York City vs Altrincham – Saturday 25th July -3pm KO

This promises to be an intriguing encounter. York City finished in second place, but have lost to Altrincham both times they have played them at home this year in cup competitions.

York City also had the eighth best home record which will give the visitors hope in this semi-final.

Away from home had been York City’s strength this season, so they are going to have to call on all their fire power up front to send them into the Promotion Final.

For the visitors, they came through a tough Vanarama Eliminator against Chester to win 3-2 and will fancy their chances of a third victory at York City this season.

Key Stats

· League meeting 3rd August 2019 Altrincham 1 v 3 York City

· FA Cup meeting 10th November 2019 York City 0 v 1 Altrincham

· FA Trophy 23rd November 2019 York City 0 v 1 Altrincham

· York City last 5 results - 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats

· York City Top Scorer: Jordan Burrow with 15 goals

· Altrincham last 5 results –4 wins, 1 defeat

· Altrincham Top Scorer: Josh Hancock & Jordan Hulme with 14 Goals

Boston United v Gateshead – Saturday 25th July – kick-off 5.30pm

Gateshead will fancy their chances of causing an upset in this Semi-Final, having beaten Boston United 3-0 in both league matches during the regular season.

Gateshead just came through a penalty shootout in their Vanarama Eliminator and maybe the stars are shining for them to make a return to National League.

Boston United have a solid home record with 10 wins from 15 matches and will be hoping to make that count.

Key Stats

· League Meeting: 14th September 2019 Gateshead 3 v 0 Boston United

· League Meeting: 25th February 2020 Boston United 0 v 3 Gateshead

· Boston United last 5 results – 2 wins, 2 draw, 1 defea

· Boston United Top Scorer: Dominic Knowles & Jordan Thewlis with 12 goals

· Gateshead last 5 results – 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat

· Gateshead Top Scorer: Joshua Kayode & Jonathan O’Donnell with 6 goals

Havant & Waterlooville v Dartford– Saturday 25th July -3pm KO

Favourites for promotion Havant and Waterlooville should come into the play-offs with confidence having been in great form before the football stopped.

They will need to make home advantage count as they look to bounce straight back up to the National League at the first attempt.

Joint top scorer in the division Jonah Ayunga is a key player for the big occasion so expect to see him on the scoresheet.

For Dartford, they also come into this in great form with stunning 3-0 away win over Slough Town and will look to Charlie Sheringham to follow up his brace and cause a shock this weekend.

Having a famous footballing father could count in their favour as Teddy Sheringham knew how to perform on the big stage.

Key Stats

· League meeting 10th August 2019 Dartford 1 v 1 Havant & Waterlooville

· Havant & Waterlooville last 5 results - 4 wins, 1 defeat

· Havant & Waterlooville Top Scorer: Jonah Ayunga with 17 goals

· Dartford last 5 results –4 wins, 1 draw

· Dartford Top Scorer: Darren McQueen with 17 goals

Weymouth v Dorking Wanderers – Saturday 25th July – 5.30pm KO

Weymouth have a very good home record, winning 11 of 18 matches in the League this season and will look to repeat the victory over Dorking in January to progress to the Promotion Final match.

They are favourites to win this weekend and will be encouraged by Dorking’s away form during the season with only 5 wins from 18 matches.

However, this is play-off football and the visitors will be encouraged by last week’s win at Bath City and look to repeat another away win this weekend.

Key Stats

· League Meeting: 7th December 2019 Dorking 1 v 0 Weymouth

· League Meeting: 25th January 2020 Weymouth 2 v 1 Dorking

· Weymouth last 5 results – 3 wins, 2 draws

· Weymouth Top Scorer: Abdulai Baggie with 10 goals

· Dorking last 5 results – 1 win, 4 defeats

· Dorking Top Scorer: Jason Prior with 14 Goals

View the match odds here for the Play-Off Semi-Finals

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Where next?

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