Come gaze into my crystal ball...

When it comes to forecasting our results I'm usually quite rubbish. I used to do the Moosenet prediction league, but could never bring myself to say that we were going to lose, even when it was blatantly obvious that defeat was on the cards, so soon gave up.

Anyway, this is the time of year when mailing lists, messageboards, and websites start to get clogged up with all and sundry trying to predict how the run in will go. Invariably they are totally wrong, because form always changes at this stage of the season; previously invincible teams on the verge of promotion get the jitters while relegation strugglers find some uncharacteristic good form. Meanwhile mid-table meanderers (usually the likes of Kidderminster or Rushden) either get into holiday mode early and switch off, and go on an impressive run as their players pull their collective finger out in a bid to earn new contracts. In short it's a bit of a mine-field for would-be Mystic Megs.

But because it's Thursday and I'm bored, here's my take on what's going to happen during the rest of the season:

Burton (H): Returning heroes Mcfarland and Butler help the league leaders hold United to a third successive stalemate. Draw

Mansfield (H): Despite the presence of renowned poacher, and ex-United trialist, Rob Duffy(pen), we'll win this fairly comfortably. Win

Barrow (A): Barrow don't lose many at home, probably because most teams are knackered after the two-day trek north. The United players won't be up for this one. Defeat

Northwich (H): We're bound to make heavy weather of the Trickies, but it'll all end happily I'm sure. Win

Woking (A): We always do so well(!) when live on Setanta. Draw

Forest Green (H): My main prediction for this match, one which I expect to be correct, is that Jim Harvey will whinge. A lot. Win

Stevenage (A): A repeat of last year would be nice, but I think this one is going to end in disappointment for our substantial travelling army. Defeat

Eastbourne (H): [cliche]If we're going to get promoted, we need to be beating teams like Eastbourne[/cliche]. Win

Kettering (A): By this stage, hopefully Kettering will be exhausted by their packed schedule. Draw

Salisbury (A): Amber nation invades Wiltshire to cheer their team into the play-offs, hurrah. Win

Altrincham (H): With nothing riding on this game, Brabin brings himself on for a 15-minute cameo, and rolls back the years by netting the winner. Maybe. Win

That run of results would leave us with exactly 80 points, and while I'm not sad enough to predict all the results for the other teams, a total of this ilk would surely be enough to secure a top-five birth. I'll look forward to being made to look a total idiot in the coming weeks.