Leaders Aldershot should outclass Orient

National League
3pm Saturday

The top half of the National League is incredibly tight with three points separating first from 12th but leaders Aldershot can stretch the chasing pack by beating mid-table Leyton Orient.

The Shots are are only four points ahead but go into the match on a two-game winning run while Orient are hoping to avoid a fourth successive defeat.

Earlier this month Orient won 4-1 at home to Guiseley to rise to second in the division. Steve Davis's new-look squad seemed to be adjusting nicely to fifth-tier football but the wheels have fallen off with defeats at Boreham Wood (2-0) and at home to Halifax (3-0) and Hartlepool (2-1).

Poor defending seems to be a major problem with Orient shipping 19 league goals, the most among the top 19 teams.

If they fall behind again at the Recreation Ground it may be tough for them to find a way back into the game.

Aldershot are one of the better organised teams in the division and have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches.

The home side are boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Manny Oyeleke and attacker Shaun Okojie, who featured in a Hampshire Cup tie against Eastleigh on Tuesday, and they look equipped to extend their winning run.

Promotion-chasing Sutton have gone three home games without a win but can arrest their dip in results at Gander Green Lane by beating Barrow.

Football tipsters

Mark Langdon

Dan Childs

Kevin Pullein

Since the start of the 2015-16 season Sutton have won 26, drawn 15 and lost eight of their home league games.

They dropped from first to fourth after losing 2-0 at Woking last Saturday but a home match with lowly Barrow should see them get back on track.

Barrow finished just seven points outside the playoffs last season but are having a lot of problems this term and seem to be struggling to adjust to the departures of key attackers Jordan Williams and Richard Bennett to Rochdale and Carlisle.

They have won just two of 11 games, both at Holker Street, and could be heading for another poor result.

Recommendations
Aldershot
1pt Evs Betway, Hills, Sky Bet
Sutton
1pt 17-20 Sky Bet

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