The Dripping Pan

Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

League leaders Lewes square off against Hampton and Richmond in the pick of this weekend's Blue Square South fixtures.

Bognor Regis Town v Thurrock

Relegation strugglers Bognor Regis Town host Thurrock at Nyewood Lane and will be looking to secure the much-needed three points.

The Rocks are in poor form, failing to record a win in their last six games, while the Fleet are unbeaten in their last four games.

The home side need to be tight at the back as the visitors are in fine fettle in front of goals, netting ten times in four games.

When The Rocks visited Hakan Hayrettin's charges in September, a last minute goal from David Bryant, his first for the Fleet sealed the three points. In five previous visits to Bognor, however The Fleet have managed just one victory when in the 2005-06 season.

The Rocks will see the return of Chris Breach who returns from suspension while David Ray and Charlie Balfe are still serving their match bans.

The visitors will welcome back Rob Swaine from suspension, Kenny Clark and Greg Lincoln could be fit for Saturday. Apart from long term causality Leon McKenzie, Hayrettin will have a full squad to select his side from.

Blue Square have odds of 20/21 on two or three goals being scored

Bath City v Bromley

High-flying Bath City will host play-off hopefuls Bromley in their maiden trip to Twerton Park.

The Lilywhites' attack will need to work hard to breach a City defence that has shut out the opposition twelve times in their 24 league games. In contrast Bromley have only stopped Fisher Athletic from scoring in their 3-0 win back in August.

Whilst City have shut out the opposition twelve times in their 24 league games, Bromley have only stopped Fisher Athletic from scoring in their 3-0 win back in August.The visitors are lethal in front of goal though and have scored the second most goals in the Blue Square South. Their upfront pairing of Gareth Williams and Danny Hockton boast 25 goals between them.

City will be without Lewis Hogg again as he sits out the final match of his three game suspension along with Jason Wood (ban). Scott Partridge and Gethin Jones will boost the home side after having been doubtful for the Hampton trip due to family illness and injury respectively.

Blue Square have odds of 10/11 on a Bath City win

Eastleigh v St Albans

Rock-bottom St Albans will be hoping that their trip to Silverlake Stadium is a stepping stone away from the dreaded drop-zone.

The Saints have won just three games out of 23 Blue Square South fixtures, but the signing of Dean Cracknell for his second spell at Clarence Park will boost the visitors. The midfielder goes straight into the squad against the Spitfires.

The hosts will be high on confidence after securing a 4-4 draw with third-placed Bath City in their last league fixture and will be looking to advance up the South standings.

Jon Stevenson, Paul Bruce, Jomo Faal-Thomas and Craig Vargas are all suspended for the Saints.

Blue Square feel that at 13/8 this game could result in four or more goals.

Bishops Sford v Welling United

Blue Square South strugglers Welling United travel to Woodside Park with the aim of securing three points against hosts Bishops.

The visitors, currently on 18th spot in the league have not managed a win in their last 6 fixtures.

However, they will be boosted by new signing defender Francis Duku from Bromley, who is expected to make his Wings bow against Bishops.

Meanwhile, the home side are hoping top striker Jack Midson will still be at Woodside Park for the match, as Histon have put through a massive bid for the player.

Martin Hayes' men will be looking to continue from their last league game, a 4-1 win against Havant and Waterlooville.

Blue Square doesn't believe this encounter will end in a draw with odds of 11/4.

Braintree v Cambridge City

Braintree will host Cambridge City at Cressing Road with the home side looking to bounce back after a 2-0 loss away to Fisher Athletic.

Gary Roberts will be eager to lift his side's staggering away form after consecutive losses to Dorchester Town and Bishops Sford.

New signing Adrian Deane will be hoping Iron boss Lee Patterson awards him his Blue Square South debut.

The previous encounter between the sides ended in a dour goalless draw.

Blue Square doesn't believe this clash will end in a draw with 4/5 odds on a Braintree win.

Fisher v Sutton United

The Fish host relegation threatened Sutton United at Champion Hill hoping to continue their fine form.

Fisher currently sit second in the form table, winning their previous 4 league matches and go into this game with their confidence sky-high.

The U's, likewise, have enjoyed an upturn in form of late taking 7 points from a possible 9 prior to the weekend's home defeat at the hands of Bath City.

Ernie Howe's side will be looking to continue their recent resurgence in their fight against the drop, they currently have 15 points and sit 21st.

Fisher, in contrast, will be hoping to continue their promotion crusade - remaining only 3 points off the play-off's with a game in hand.

Blue Square have odds of 15/4 on a Sutton upset

Hayes and Yeading v Dorchester

Dorchester journey to Hayes & Yeading United in Blue Square South on Saturday and face a side currently on their poorest run of form this season.

The recently-merged club have won only one game in their last seven.

The latest defeat for the mid-table outfit came at Weston-super-Mare when Garry Haylock's side suffered a 3-1 defeat on Saturday.

Manager Haylock has opted to send striker Simon Martin out on loan to St Albans City. Haylock is also looking to add ex-Lazio keeper Alessio de Aneglis to his squad.

The visitors will be riding their confidence after a stunning 3-2 home win against Cambridge, while Hayes and Yeading will be aiming to bounce back after their defeat at Weston s Mare.

Hayes and Yeading are the Blue Square favourites at 4/5

Lewes v Hampton and Richmond

League leaders Lewes will welcome play-off potentials Hampton and Richmond at the Dripping Pan.

This is a tough tie for both teams as they both look to advance their ambitions in the Blue Square South.

The Beavers will be keen on recovering after a home defeat to Thurrock, while The Rooks will look to continue their unbeaten form.

Francis Quarm is expected to be fit for the visitors although Lawrence Yaku and Aaron Barnett remain sidelined.

Lewes are hot favourites to lift the Blue Square South title, but Alan Devonshire believes his side's position as underdogs could give them the advantage on Saturday.

He told Your Local Guardian "It is a fact they have a bigger budget than everyone else in the league. We'll go there with nothing to lose and any positive result will be a good one for us," he added.

Blue Square favour Lewes with odds of 4/6

Maidenhead v Basingstoke

Francis Vines is confident that his Basingstoke Town side can come out on top at Maidenhead United at York Road.

Johnson Hippolyte's men have won just once at York Road this season, losing seven out of their 12 home fixtures.

They are currently 16th in the league table, with 27 points from 25 games.

Saturday's 3-2 win over Bognor Regis Town lifted Basingstoke up to fifth and ended a five-game winless run.

Vines will be without defender Jamie Whisken for the next three matches, punishment for his sending-off at Lewes, and is sweating on the fitness of Jason Bristow, Steve Laidler and Sean Hankin.

Striker Scott Fitzgerald could feature on Saturday.

Vines told This Is Basingstoke: "I have watched Maidenhead a few times. They play with pace and, on paper, are a good side but have just not hit it off at home.

Blue Square are backing the Magpies with odds of 7/5

Newport County v Havant and Waterlooville

The match at Newport Stadium looks unlikely to materialise with weather once again affecting Blue Square South fixtures.

Newport County's official website reads: Following another week of torrential rain and a dreadful forecast for the next 24 hours there will be a formal pitch inspection tomorrow morning. As with last week information will be released and posted on appropriate sites by 9.00am tomorrow and we would ask that fans refrain from calling the club office until this time as the phone lines will be required to update the league, Havant etc.

If the match does proceed, Blue Square have odds off a 5/6 on a Newport win.

Weston - S - Mare v Eastbourne Borough

The match at Woodspring Stadium is in doubt and will only continue if a pitch inspection is successful.

The home side's official website read: A pitch inspection has been called for 7:30am tomorrow morning (Saturday), to see if the game against Eastbourne Borough can go ahead.

Weather permitting, Blue Square have odds off 5/6 on a Borough win