Vanarama National League title race remains wide open

While the January transfer window could influence how teams perform, as clubs battle to retain their best players and seek to bolster squads with new additions, the Vanarama National League has arguably never been more competitive. There are no fewer than nine teams genuinely battling for promotion, realistically speaking, while several can still focus their ambitions towards winning the title.

Following the fixtures which took place on Tuesday 25 January, when Stockport County secured their eighth successive win in all competitions, there was just six points between them at the top of the table and Solihull Moors in ninth position. As anyone who closely follows the fifth tier of English football will know, this is barely any margin at all and much can change, given there are still so many games left to play.

A much improved second half sees County go top of the National League!#StockportCounty pic.twitter.com/cHMBEa3DOO

— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) January 25, 2022

Heading into the final stretch of the 2021-22 campaign, the level of competition is fierce and quite literally anything is possible, amongst the nine leading teams in the league. Providing the current form can be sustained, Stockport County are inevitably regarded as the strongest candidates for the title. But were they to run out of steam like Halifax Town recently, the whole panorama in the leadership battle could change completely.

Chesterfield remain one of the best placed possibilities, even with manager James Rowe suspended, having lost only twice and still with a game in hand on the leaders. Bromley were always considered to be unlikely contenders, yet they continue to keep themselves in the race for the title. Boreham Wood has enjoyed a strong campaign and remain tough to beat, registering just two losses. Wrexham, Dagenham and Redbridge, Notts County, and Solihull Moors are all within touching distance of the top.

What the bookies believe

Stockport County remain firm favourites to win the Vanarama National League, boasting the lowest outright odds at practically every betting site. But is there something the bookmakers know that we don’t? While the Edgeley Park outfit have certainly enjoyed superb form of late, considering they overcome a relatively poor start to the campaign, are they really so much stronger than the rest of the competition? That’s what the odds would appear to imply.

Outright decimal odds range between 2.10 and 2.30 for Stockport to claim the title, despite there being some nine teams in the frame. According to the bookies, the most likely challengers will be Chesterfield at anywhere between 3.74 and 4.50 odds, followed by Wrexham ranging from 4.50 to 5.00 odds. Then there’s a big price gap to Notts County, valued between 9.00 and 11 to win the title, depending upon where you look.

⏱️ 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄

A first half goal from Josh Rees wins this tight fought battle at the top of @TheVanaramaNL 👌

A long journey home tonight but a very happy one it will be! 😁

🔵 0-1 🪵#WeAreTheWood pic.twitter.com/4K3hPtaHeN

— Boreham Wood FC (@BOREHAM_WOODFC) January 25, 2022

Not only does this underline the outright betting value that can be found, given how competitive the Vanarama National League is this season, it also highlights why comparing bookmakers is always worthwhile. This is why SBO has produced a comprehensive guide, covering the best online betting sites for odds, alongside providing detailed reviews for which offer the broadest football options, plus information about the most lucrative bonuses.

Considering how competitive the Vanarama National League has been this season, there is plenty of outright betting value to be found elsewhere. Regardless of having only lost twice and remaining unbeaten at home, at the time of writing, Boreham Wood are valued between 9.00 and 11.00 title odds. Bromley remain genuine contenders, yet they range between 17.00 shortest and 34.00 longest odds. Likewise, Halifax Town are priced between 15.00 and 26.00 odds.

Thrilling season finale beckons

For fans of all the teams involved, this genuinely promises to be an epic and enthralling conclusion to the season. Rarely has the fifth tier of English football ever been so evenly contested, especially insofar as the title hunt and race for promotion is concerned. This makes weighing up the odds with bookmakers all the more intriguing, particularly given the prospect that some fans could be laughing all the way to the bank, just by backing their own teams.