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This time last year I was sitting on Brighton beach having an ice cream, this year I could be caught in a snow storm. Such has been the nature of this terrible winter. Here is our guide to the best of the bets in League One, weather permitting.

The Sky cameras have an interesting clash lined up lunchtime Saturday when two high flying teams meet as Sheff Utd entertain Brentford at Bramall Lane. Bookmakers have the Blades as the 29/20 (BetVictor) favourites while the Brentford win is 23/10 (Blue Sq/Stan James/888 Sport), the draw meanwhile is available at 12/5 (general). Brentford won when these sides met in November though that was the only time in the last seven games between these two sides that the Bees have come out on top. This looks a tricky game to call and those looking for a bet might do well to have a play on the highest scoring half. Brentford have failed to score in the first-half of any of their last five league games while you can except Sheff U to keep things tight on the back of a 4-0 defeat last time. Take the 6/5 on offer with BetVictor.

The pick of the bets for me is Walsall to get all three points from their game with Hartlepool which can be backed at 13/10 (general). For a moment the great escape seemed on for Hartlepool after a seven-match run that saw them gain 17 points. A heartbreaking loss to Oldham in midweek though would have been a crushing blow and it may just be that it will be hard for Jeff Hughes to pick his players up off the ground after that defeat. Opponents Walsall rescued a point against Crawley last time out and kept their league unbeaten record to nine games. The absence of Will Grigg will be a blow for the Saddlers however they should have enough fire-power to see off Hartlepool at this price.

It might also be worth a little bit on NO in the both teams to score market in the game between Preston and Leyton Orient. This bet would have paid in each of the last three Preston games as new boss Simon Grayson has tightened them up. Leyton Orient meanwhile have kept clean sheets in three of their last five away games in the league conceding just three times in total in these games. This could be a tight affair so the evens on offer with boylesports and paddy Power looks the way to play this.

In a battle of the two sides suffering big financial problems Portsmouth entertain Coventry and I am tempted by a play in the anytime scorer market here. Veteran striker David Connolly has netted four in the last five games and in each of the last two Pompey home games. Bookmakers have him at a generous 2/1 (bet365/BetVictor/Coral).

The live Sunday game sees Tranmere take on a Stevenage side who sacked manager Gary Smith in midweek after a loss to Bury and just a few days after they hammered Sheff U 4-0. Bookmakers have the Merseysiders as the favourites at 21/20 (BetVictor/william hill) while the draw is 5/2 (bet365/Stan James) and the away victory is 13/4 (pinnacle). Those keen on a bet can do worse than Dani Lopez at 23/10 (BetVictor) in the anytime scorer market. The Spaniard has netted two hat-tricks in recent weeks and Tranmere have let in five in their last two games.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Walsall to beat Hartlepool at 13/10, (general)
SILVER: David Connolly to score anytime v Coventry, 2/1 (bet365/BetVictor/Coral)
BRONZE: Preston v L Orient NO on both teams to score, evens (boylesports/paddy Power)

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23/03/2013     © Frixo 2024