2025-26 Non-League Betting tips

Renowned value hunter Scott Redfearn is the latest addition to Odds Now's football tipping arsenal ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Here, in his first deep dive, he makes a compelling case for backing Buxton to land a shock National League North title at a juicy 14/1.

As some of my social media followers will know, non-league is where I love to look for value.

The bookies just don’t go through as much detail – or maybe even have the knowledge – of the lower leagues.

There's so much you can find now on social media to help you with research and in this day and age, any edge you can carve out for yourself is very valuable indeed.

Everyone knows about Wrexham and their spending power. But there’s clubs lower down in the non-league pyramid who try something similar on a smaller scale ever season.

The difference is, the further you go down the ladder, such injections of cash makes a far more significant difference. Take wages, for example. Starting players in non-league will happily drop two divisions to play for a team on the up and with financial clout. In amateur football, money always talks.

I’m looking for exactly this type of thing – teams who see themselves in the Wrexham mould, who are able to attract players who are essentially star performers in the league they join.

Youthful Buxton a side on the up

After a play-off finish last time around, John McGrath and Buxton will be eyeing further progress this season.

The Silverlands stadium is known for being one of the highest football grounds above sea level in England – 1000ft, give or take – but will Buxton be looking higher up the league in 25/26?

With a few of the “bigger” National League North teams having major transformations with their playing squad and management teams this summer, I’m excited to see how the youngest squad in the league will progress.

Ashley Hemmings and Nick Haughton are just two of the division's stars to have departed for pastures new up the pyramid, and it has given the division an open feel to it at this early stage.

Buxton played the loan market very well last season. True Grant (Man City), Bobby Faulkner (Doncaster), Ethan Mann (Stockport) and Cian Coleman (Leeds) all played key roles in an impressive second half of last season.

You could argue there’s some big gaps to fill, but with George Ward (23) joining from Leamington (voted their Supporters' Player of the Season) and Max Bardwell (22) joining from Derby following a successful loan at this level with Fylde last term, then that’s two of the defensive boxes ticked.

Cian Coleman (20) joins permanently from Leeds after netting seven goals from 23 starts from midfield during an impressive loan in 2024-25. That continuity in such a crucial area can only be a good thing.

With the first game of the season approaching, Buxton have also addressed their goalkeeper shortage. Joe Young, 22, joins from Shrewsbury, having spent time with the club during the 22/23 season.

Two of 10th-placed Hereford’s key players have also arrived. The Whites' Player of the Year and forward-thinking right back Sammy Robinson (23) joins midfielder Tate Campbell (22) in swapping Herefordshire for Derbyshire.

Left back Deniche Hill (21) signs after impressing on trial following his Leicester release, while Callum Ebanks (22) will looking to make the step up into step two after bagging 36 goals across two seasons for Stratford Town.

Add this blend of youth to an already talented young squad which includes Kieran Burton (21), Johnny Johnston (21), Luke Brennan (23) and Ryan Viggars (22) I can only see this group getting better as the season goes on.

Connor Kirby (26) is very important for Buxton in the heart of midfield, where he's joined by Keziah Martin (25) and new signing Ryan McLean (25).

As you can see from the ages, this indicates a continued emphasis on youth and gives great scope for them to improve on last years seventh-placed finish.

Josh Popoola (22) does move on though to Maidenhead and even though Deimi Lusala has joined Dagenham, I feel that the club have recruited based on that outcome.

I fully expect wily boss McGrath to play the loan market as well when needed. The location of Buxton makes it easier than for most at this level when looking for players to bring in.

With a reputation for improving young players and an attractive brand of football to match, McGrath will have no issues in securing young local talent.

With a 77-point haul and play-off place earned last season, I can see only see this exciting group taking another step forward and to me, they are being overlooked in one of the more open non-league markets.

Scott Redfearn's National League North outright selection

1pt EW - Buxton to win the National League North - 14/1 (Bet365/ Ladbrokes - 1/4 odds top 3)