We’re being treated to an epic title race in the National League North this season, with four sides all battling it out for that one automatic promotion spot.
The bookies didn’t quite know how to price it in the summer, but as the season’s unfolded, they’ve absolutely nailed it. Scunthorpe were slight favourites at 11/2, with Kidderminster, Brackley Town, Chester and Chorley close behind in the betting market.
Fast forward to present day, and those same sides find themselves occupying the top five spots, with Scunthorpe leading the charge.
And to put it bluntly, Scunthorpe have no business being in non-league football. They were a Championship outfit just over a decade ago and only ended their 72-year stay in the EFL in 2022. But despite their fall from grace, they now have a real shot at automatic promotion back to the National League, and it’s theirs to lose.
And here at FIRST.com, where you can get the best sports betting tips and find the best bookies to bet with, we’re looking at what must go right in the last few games to bring home the title.
1. Use last season’s heartbreak as fuel
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Playoff heartbreak is the perfect catalyst for a title charge the following season.
It’s the first thing I look for when placing any ante-post bets – and let’s face it, Scunthorpe suffered a triple whammy of disappointment last year.
They not only missed out on an instant return to the National League, but they also finished second in the table and fell short in the playoffs on penalties – at home, no less. That kind of pain is a powerful motivator to not let things slip this year. Think of Mo Salah and co walking past the Champions League trophy in 2018 – but for Scunthorpe, there’s a real prize on the line…
2. Keep Glanford Park a fortress
Scunthorpe have been a force to be reckoned with on home soil this season, with 12 wins from 20 games – the second-best in the division behind Chorley. Only last weekend did their 8,274-strong following inspire them to a 3-1 win over fellow title contenders Chester – a division crowd record.
After ending last season with the best home record and 88 points, Scunthorpe could reach 96 points this year – matching last year’s champions Tamworth. Their remaining home fixtures against Southport, Spennymoor and Peterborough Sports present a golden opportunity. Win those, and they’ll be halfway to the title.
3. Wrap Cal Roberts in cotton wool
If Scunthorpe are going to see this title challenge through, Cal Roberts is going to be at the heart of it. With 19 goals already this season, he’s already enjoying his best ever season in front of goal.
His scoring record speaks for itself – a goal every other game – but it’s the way he’s stepped up in the absence of injured striker Danny Whitehall that’s really kept Scunthorpe flying. In Whitehall’s nine-game absence, Roberts has chipped in with four goals and three assists.
Roberts is no stranger to injuries, so keeping him fit and firing is paramount. Even with Whitehall’s imminent return, it’s Roberts who should make all the difference in the final stretch.
4. Don’t underestimate the next two opponents
Scunthorpe’s next two fixtures are winnable, perhaps even too winnable.
First up, they’ll host 18th-placed Southport, followed by a trip to 19th-placed Radcliffe. These two sides may be struggling at the opposite end of the table, but we all know that form can go out of the window in these kinds of matches.
Plus, the reverse fixtures didn’t go as planned for Scunthorpe, failing to beat either side.
After these two matches, Scunthorpe will face four teams in the top half of the table, including Hereford and King’s Lynn who are both in playoff contention.
It’s crucial they take maximum points against Southport and Radcliffe to give themselves some breathing room heading into a much tougher run-in.