Steffan Ball

Saturday's Blue Square South Previews

Lewes will be looking to get back on track while the play-off contenders and relegation strugglers battle it out for all the spoils in Saturday's Blue Square South fixtures.

Hampton & Richmond v Basingstoke

Frances Vines believes his Basingstoke side can bounce back from recent defeats when they travel to Hampton & Richmond's Beveree Stadium.

The high-flying Beavers will be looking to take advantage of the under-fire Dragons who have suffered huge losses their last two fixtures, losing 6-0 at Eastbourne Borough and 5-1 at home to Fisher Athletic.

The visitors have been handed a lengthy injury list, that includes midfielder Steve Laidler and defensive duo Joe Dolan and Sean Hankin.

Home boss Alan Devonshire will welcome back Aaron Barnett and Barrie Matthews from injury this weekend and will hope to continue their three-game unbeaten streak.

Meanwhile, the Dragons will be buoyed by the news that Rob Watkins should be fit to return following a calf strain.

Blue Square favours a Hampton win with odds of 4/6

Bath City v Braintree Town

Play-off hopeful's Bath City prepare to host Braintree Town at Twerton Park with the aim of securing all three points.

The Romans have fallen off the pace in the play-off chase following back to back defeats, but John Relish's charges will be hoping to put that right against the Iron.

Iron boss Lee Patterson has seen his side muster up mixed results with three wins, three defeats and two draws in their last eight outings.

The visitors sit in 12th place, eight points off the final play-off position.

The hosts will be boosted by the return from suspension of Jason Wood while Chris Holland could be back in contention following a knee-injury.

Blue Square have odds of 4/5 on a Bath City victory.

Bishops Sford v Bognor Regis Town

Struggling Bognor Regis Town will travel to Woodside Park hoping to avenge their earlier season defeat to Bishops Sford.

The last time these two sides met, Bishops walked away with the bragging rights after securing a 2-0 win.

Martin Hayes men will be flowing with confidence after beating second-placed Eastbourne while the Rocks will breathe a sigh of relief at their six-point gap over the bottom three.

Visiting manager Michael Birmingham has revealed that he has no fresh concerns ahead of the clash.

Blue Square have odds of 10/11 on a Bishops win by a one-goal margin.

Dorchester v Eastbourne Borough

Paul Compton is confident his Dorchester side have "nothing to fear" when they entertain title hopefuls Eastbourne Borough at the Jewson Stadium.

The Magpies were routed 4-1 earlier in the season at Priory Lane and the hosts will be aiming to turn the tables around.

The high-flying Sports meanwhile, will aim to close the gap on league leaders Lewes following the Rooks recent setback against Bognor Regis Town.

The Magpies will be without Gary Bowles, Elliot Bent and Simon Evans who all face a lengthy sideline spell.

The home side will miss the flair of Portuguese winger Ivan Forbes (stomach strain), who is a major doubt.

Blue Square feel this will be a high scoring game with odds off 20/21 on four or more goals being scored.

Fisher v Eastleigh

Promotion rivals Eastleigh make the trip to Champion Hill to take on Wayne Burnett's in form Fisher side.

The visitors will have a number of former Fish available for the clash, including Chris Piper and Anthony Riviere.

Champion Hill legend Steve Watts will miss the clash and the rest of the season due to a persistent knee-injury.

The hosts are relishing a lengthy unbeaten run and will aim to stifle the Spitfires' play-off plans.

Eastleigh won last encounter between the side's with a 4-0 rout and the Fish will be out for revenge.

Blue Square favour a win for the Fish with oods of 5/6.

Sutton Utd v Thurrock

Steffan Ball will make his U's bow and hope to make a difference when Thurrock visit the Borough Sports Ground to tackle Sutton United.

The struggling hosts will have a full squad to choose from, with Paul Honey recovering from a foot injury and with Warren McBean declaring himself fit enough to feature.

Thurrock boss Hakan Hayrettin had a brief spell playing for Sutton in the early 1990s and will return to Borough with his allegiances firmly in the Fleet's favour.

Blue Square believe that Sutton will earn all the spoils with odds of 2/1.

St Albans v Newport County

Newport County boss Peter Beadle believes his side's run of seven games undefeated will be enough to derail an embattled St Albans.

The Exiles travel to St Albans sitting in a comfortable fifth position in the Blue Square South and will aim to continue their crusade for a play-off place.

St Albans meanwhile are languishing in 20th place with only four wins all season and are in desperate need for a win.

Beadle has no new injuries concerns, but will be faced with a selection dilemma up front with striker Craig Hughes suspended.

Julian Alsop or Jermaine Clarke are expected to feature in his absence.

Blue Square host odds of 5/6 on a Newport win.

Havant and Waterlooville v Cambridge City

Cambridge City will make the trip to Westleigh Park to face FA Cup heroes Havant and Waterlooville hoping to record a repeat of their last performance.

The Hawks will be weary against the attacking prowess of the visitors who hit six past Welling United. The hosts will be hoping to produce some of their Anfield heroics as they attempt to get back to winning ways.

The Lilywhites won the last head-to-head between the sides 2-0 and Shaun Gale's charges will be seeking revenge.

Blue Square has the FA Cup heroes to with odds of 10/11.

Maidenhead Utd v Lewes

League leaders Lewes will attempt to bounce back when they visit Maidenhead United.

Johnson Hippolyte's charges will be hoping to capitalise on a deflated Rooks side, after the in-form side slumped against Bognor Regis Town.

However, Steve King will expect his men to reiterate their dominance in the Blue Square South.

Lee Newman is back in contention for a place in the squad along with Dwane Lee and James Hamsher who returns from suspension.

Blue Square a Maidenhead upset with odds of 3/1

Weston-S-Mare v Welling United

Weston-S-Mare will be hoping to extract blood from a wounded Welling side at the Woodspring Stadium.

The hosts will aim to add to the Wings' woes, following a 6-2 rout at the hands of Cambridge.

Andy Ford will expect a strong response from his charges though and will want to put an end to a six-game winless streak.

Both teams will look to advance away from the bottom half of the Blue Square South.

Blue Square have odds of 5/2 against a Welling win

Hayes & Yeading v Bromley

Simon Osborn feels his Bromley side need to sharpen up their finishing skills ahead of the clash with Hayes & Yeading.

The visitors will travel to Church Road relieved to have broken their dreaded winless rut against Sutton United.

Garry Haylock's men who lie in 11th position, will want to secure all three points in the hope of stringing together a late play-off challenge.

Bromley won the last encounter between the sides 2-1 on their home turf.

Blue Square believe it will be a high scoring game with odds of 7/4 on four or more successful strikes.