Unibet's Vanarama National League Matchday 22 Preview

We’ve got 12.30pm kick-offs all-around and there’s some crackers on the fixture card as the countdown to Christmas begins.

December’s always a big month in the National League promotion race and the month starts with some high pressure matches as well as a live BT Sport game. Unibet investigate what’s ahead.

FC Halifax vs Chesterfield

Chesterfield feel they’ve never been out of the title conversation - and that one disastrous week perhaps conned a couple of people into thinking they aren’t contenders.

They’re surely not thinking that way now.

Nine games undefeated, with two away FA Cup wins at EFL clubs thrown in, have shaken off that tough period.

FC Halifax, like most seasons, are relying on their home form. Five victories at the Shay so far shows they’re a force on their own turf even when things are tough they can always count on one thing. They also have a record to set straight after play-off defeat to the Spireites in May.

One to watch: Armando Dobra (Chesterfield)
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Barnet vs Wealdstone

This fixture always runs deeper than just a battle for points, of course. It’s also a tale of territory.

With former Wealdstone promotion winning boss Dean Brennan now in change at the Hive and doing well, it makes things even tastier!

Barnet are looking for their fourth league win in a row after side-stepping Altrincham, Oldham and Torquay without letting in a goal. They’ve even managed to lodge themselves in the top seven.

The Stones’ form is hardly bad itself and they’ve only conceded twice in 360 minutes of football.

Ten points from a possible 12 is giving fans confidence that any sign of a struggle could be over and done with by New Year.

One to watch: Marvin Armstrong (Barnet)
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Scunthorpe United vs Notts County

There’s been plenty to talk about before the battle at the top and the bottom falls into focus.

Scunthorpe’s interim manager Tony Daws resigned from his position days before Notts County's trip to Glanford Park as a takeover edges closer.

He managed just two wins since replacing Keith Hill, with only goal difference ensuring the Iron remain off the foot of the table.

Notts have had plenty of time to digest failing to put away Yeovil Town in their last game in front of a record crowd.

But head coach Luke Williams says his players can’t be fooled by Scunny’s troubles.

It’s been arguably the worst calendar year in the club’s history and they take on the title chasing Magpies stinging from five straight defeats.

Is there ever a good time to play County this season?

Well, they’ve only won one in four and that’s their worst run of the campaign - even if they’ve not lost in that sequence.

It’s going to be another eventful weekend!

One to watch: Ruben Rodrigues
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