The 2021/22 season of the National League North gets underway this weekend with Gateshead making the trip to Warwickshire to play Leamington at The Your Co-Op Community Stadium on Saturday.

With last season being declared null and void, Gateshead have the chance to improve on the 10th place finish they achieved last season after 14 matches and push for a place in the playoffs starting with a win on Saturday.

This fixture last season finished in a 1-1 draw with Greg Olley’s first half strike being cancelled out by a 94th minute equaliser from Leamington’s Junior English.

It is Gateshead who head into the match with a string of pre-season wins under their belt following victories against Billingham Town, Dunston UTS, Ashington, Hartlepool Utd and Newcastle Utd XI.

Leamington however have only picked up two wins in their eight pre-season friendlies which won’t help their confidence heading into this weekend’s fixture.

Bookies are expecting a close match tomorrow afternoon with Leamington priced at 13/8, Gateshead at 11/8 and the draw at 12/5.

Leamington v Gateshead Odds

Leamington 13/8
Draw 12/5
Gateshead 11/8

Gateshead FC sponsors, WhichBookie.co.uk, are predicting an away win on Saturday and have even gone as far as to suggest Gateshead -1 which comes in at an attractive 7/2 with Bet365.

WhichBookie provide free football betting tips throughout the season and their tipster Liam Johnson has a great track record. Throughout Euro 2020 Liam produced an ROI of over 84% and has been consistent with his league tips also.

Another interesting bet is from the HT/FT market. The Heed have been leading at half-time and went on to win their match in the vast majority of their pre-season friendlies, including against Hebburn Town, Billingham Town, Ashington, Hartlepool & Newcastle United XI.

Gateshead HT / Gateshead FT is 3/1 with Bet365 which looks very tempting.

A similar bet to the above is Gateshead To Win Both Halves. Of course, this not only requires the visitors to be leading at HT and FT but also score in both halves and more importantly, score more than the hosts in both halves.

However, at 8/1, again, this looks like a tempting bet.

National League North Outright Winner Odds

Looking at the outright winner odds for the National League North 2021/22 season and bookies have released the following prices:

York 7/2
Fylde 4/1
Boston 10/1
Brackley 14/1
Spennymoor 14/1
Chorley 16/1
Chester 16/1
Hereford 20/1
Gateshead 20/1
Gloucester 20/1
Kidderminster 20/1
Telford 25/1
Alfreton 25/1
Darlington 25/1
Guiseley 28/1
Southport 33/1
Farsley 40/1
Leamington 50/1
Kettering 50/1
Blyth 50/1
Curzon Ashton 66/1
Bradford AFC 66/1

The National League North is an incredibly tough league and I’m not sure many will be backing York or Fylde at odds of 4/1 or less. Gateshead were excellent against Newcastle United XI at the end of July and looked a real threat when pushing forward.

It will be interesting to see promotion odds when they become available and if favourable, Gateshead could be a good bet on making it through to the playoffs come the end of the season.