National League Ante-Post Outright Prediction Preview

With only one team gaining promotion automatically, the National League can be a landmine to navigate pre-season, so considering that, welcome to our National League Ante-Post Outright Prediction Preview. 

With League Two-bound Chesterfield expectedly running away with the title last year, there was plenty of value to be had in the ‘To Finish in the Top 7’ offering – a market Matthew O’Regan will be focusing on for two of the three selections in this article.

• To Finish in the top 3 Tip 1: Barnet
• To Finish in the Top 7 Tip 2: Forest Green
• To Finish in the Top 7 Tip 3: York

National League Ante-Post Prediction 1: Buzzing Bees Bustling For Promotion Again

England, National League, Saturday, August 10th, 15:00 (UK)

Barnet came second in the league last season, finishing on 86 points- 12 off Chesterfield and five clear of Bromley in third. However, Dean Brennan’s side crashed out at the first hurdle in the playoffs, losing 0-4 to Solihull Moors. This was the second season in succession they failed to advance from the playoffs, having lost to rivals Boreham Wood the year before.

The Bees are priced as favourites this year around – and for good reason. They have kept the majority of their squad and made some very strong additions. 

Promising young centre-back Joe Rye arrives from Worthing with rave reviews, while aerially dominant centre-back Joe Grimwood further strengthens the backline – he was vital in Braintree’s surprise promotion from the National League South. Nikola Tavares (Dagenham & Redbridge) and Joe Kizzi (Sutton) also augment an already strong defence. Nick Hayes, who excelled on loan at Solihull Moors, joins to be the new number one on a permanent. 

Goals Incoming

Exciting attacker Jermaine Francis joins from Chelmsford after 23 goal contributions for the Clarets. Rhys Browne also adds goals to the side after multiple clinical seasons for Wealdstone and Woking. Perhaps the most impressive signing is that of Anthony Hartigan from Mansfield. The midfield lynchpin was a key figure for Barnet on loan last season, so Brennan will be delighted to have him back on a permanent deal. 

All these additions massively strengthen a side that finished second last year. Idris Kanu is a handful for any defenders and will form a potent attack with Rhys Browne and Jermaine Francis. Nicke Kabamba looks to be staying. The 31-year-old has scored 43 goals over the last two seasons. 

An underrated facet of Barnet’s recruitment thus far is how early every deal has been finalised. Eleven signings have been made before pre-season, allowing them more time to gel and implement their ideas. 

A team that finished last season strongly, keeping their main core of players as well as making a number of early signings, Barnet will be a hard force to stop next year. 

• National League Ante-Post Outright Prediction 1: Barnet to Finish in the Top 3 (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

National League Prediction 2: Value in the Vegans

Forest Green suffered the unfortunate fate of back-to-back relegations after reaching League 1 for the first time in history. Dale Vince has pumped a lot of money into the small West Country club, but a string of poor signings and managerial appointments have seen them plunge back into non-league. 

Vince won’t want his investment to go to waste and has put his hand in his pockets and made some impressive signings. 

Sean Long and Liam Sercombe made the shock decision to leave rivals Cheltenham and head to Rovers, while Wrexham’s long throw specialist Ben Tozer also signs. Tom Knowles enjoyed a few strong National League campaigns before signing for Walsall. The 25-year-old is an excellent acquisition for this level. Adam May also arrives from Cambridge – a player capable of playing higher but for injuries. 

Leading Forest Green this season is the ever reliable Steve Cotterill. The 60-year-old was appointed mid-season and Forest Green were ranked 14th for form in his 19 games managed. 

With a promotion-winning specialist, a big budget and non-league expertise, Forest Green should be challenging the top end of the table again.

• National League Ante-Post Outright Prediction 2: Forest Green to Finish in the Top 7 (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

National League Ante-Post Outright Prediction 3: York’s Year?

Multi-millionaire Matt Uggla purchased York in the summer of 2023 with lofty ambitions of instant promotion to the Football League. This did not materialise as the Minstermen survived relegation by the skin of their teeth thanks to the managerial nous of Adam Hinshelwood. 

Hinshelwood was appointed as manager mid-way through the season after impressive work leading Worthing to the chance of promotion in both seasons he managed in the National League South. The 40-year-old is a manager who favours attacking play, with his Worthing side regularly topping goalscoring metrics. 

Due to the owner’s wealth, York have a large transfer budget to work with this summer, so Hinshelwood has got to work early in shaping his squad for the season. 

He has turned to his old club Worthing for a number of signings. Ollie Pearce scored 46 goals in 51 appearances for the Rebels last season and once again links up with Hinshelwood. Joe Felix is a marauding wing back who boasted 18 goal contributions and was a real-fan favourite for his work-rate and endeavour. 

A welcome reunion

Goalkeeper Harrison Male arrives after a season at relegated Dorking. Male was a real stand-out in a lacklustre team and is again reunited with his former manager. Ricky Aguiar signs from Swindon after breaking through the youth team at Worthing under Hinshelwood. The 23-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal, scoring 11 goals in 23 appearances on loan at his boyhood club last season.

Away from ex-Worthing players, centre-back Darragh O’Connor is an impressive coup from Greenock Morton. Tyrese Sinclair (Rochdale) and Ashley Nathaniel-George (Maidenhead) are two of the most exciting wingers in the league and have been signed to further augment a potent attack. 

In addition to the new signings, Dipo Akinyemi is a crucial asset for York, having scored 15 goals in his debut season after 20 in 36 for Scottish Championship side Ayr. 

Hinshelwood is curating a squad that matches his attacking philosophy and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them end as the top league scorers. The recruitment has been flawless, with a nice blend of players to have played for Hinshelwood and some of the best National League talent.  

• National League Ante-Post Outright Prediction 3: York to Finish in the Top 7 (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

National League Ante-Post Outright Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, March 1st, 2024. Odds may now differ.

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