Chance to return to form

PROMOTED last season, perhaps the writing was on the wall for North Ferriby as early as midSeptember by which time they had lost six of their opening nine league matches, a run which included a 6-1 thrashing by Lincoln.

Matters have not improved since and while the Silkmen managed just a 1-0 victory when the sides met at the Moss Rose in October (though it was achieved playing with 10 men for more than an hour), according to the match stats team at bettingexpert.com, few bookies envisage anything other than a comprehensive Macclesfield victory when the pair lock horns again on Saturday.

This has been a season of consolidation for Macclesfield and while a comfortable win would be welcome, they’re likely to be content with a point; the draw, priced at 13/5 by Unibet, has been well supported by punters.

None the less, Town travel to the North Ferriby priced as Coral’s 5/4 favourites to secure maximum points, whereas the home side are installed as Marathonbet’s 5/2 underdogs.

Punters anticipating as close a fixture as they witnessed when the pair last met can get 2/1 (Paddy Power) against the opening half finishing goalless, while less precise backers may prefer 188bet’s even money for the first 45 minutes to end with honours even.

In other markets, 10bet chalk 11/2 against both halves concluding with honours even, while for those expecting Macclesfield to build on a solid first half performance and then capture all three points, Matchbook. com offer 7/2 about them emerging victorious following a drawn opening period.

Odds courtesy of customisable odds comparison site www. smartbets.com - get free tips from the FA Cup to the National League online at www. bettingexpert.com.