When the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two are suspended, let's treat ourselves with a Lancashire derby in the Vanarama National League:
Chorley host Fylde at Victory Park on Saturday.
Chorley
The Magpies are rock bottom in the table, 17 points adrift Wrexham in 20th place. Even if all of Chorley's relegation rivals lost all of the remaining games, it would take an average of 2.13 points per game from Chorley's remaining games to reach safe ground - more than league leader Barrow's 1.89 points per game so far this season. I think it's quite safe to say that Chorley will be relegated and that the morale and motivation could be rather low the remaining games.
Statistics
No other team have scored fewer goals than Chorley so far in the National League this season, Chorley scoring on average 0.82 goals per game.
Only Ebbsfleet and Chesterfield have conceded more goals than Chorley so far in the National League this season, Chorley conceding on average 1.71 goals per game.
Looking at games against bottom half and bottom 7 teams exclusively, Chorley display the worst goal differences in the league:
When facing bottom 7 teams at Victory Park this season, Chorley did beat Dagenham & Redbridge (parading the third-worst goal difference against bottom 7 teams) but lost to Ebbsfleet United, Wrexham and Chesterfield.
Form
Chorley haven't picked up a single point in the last 5 games, scoring 2 goals and conceding 8 goals in the process. This include 4 games against bottom half opposition and losses to bottom 7 rivals Ebbsfleet United and Chesterfield.
Fylde
The Coasters have twined themselves a lifeline by collecting 7 points from the last 3 games and winning the last 2 games. Still in 23rd spot, the distance to safe ground is now a surmountable 4 points and spirits should be high.
Statistics
Only 4 teams have scored fewer goals than Fylde so far in the National League this season, Fylde scoring on average 1.19 goals per game.
Only 4 teams have conceded more goals than Fylde so far in the National League this season, Fylde conceding on average 1.67 goals per game.
Looking at games against bottom halt and bottom 7 teams exclusively, Fylde display one of the better goal differences in the league:
When facing bottom 7 teams on the road this season, Fylde did share points with Maidenhead United and Chesterfield (both with better than average goal difference against bottom 7 teams) and beat Wrexham and Dagenham & Redbridge (both with worse than average goal difference against bottom 7 teams).
Form
Fylde have gathered 7 points in the last 5 games, scoring 5 goals and conceding 8 goals in the process. This include 6 points from 2 games against bottom half opposition.
Check out more National League stats here!
Conclusion & Betting Tips
Chorley is bound for relegation and display pretty terrible numbers any way you look at it.
Fylde is picking up points at a viable and lusty pace, producing some relatively strong numbers against fellow bottom 7 teams.
My Betting Tip is Fylde.
Stake at 5/10 units.
