Football League Preview 1st Jan Cont

Cardiff are five points clear in the Championship and are 6/5 (BetVictor) to see off Birmingham. I like the look of the Bluebirds against opponents who have won just two of their last ten games. Cardiff have taken ten points from the last four away games and l would be shocked if they did not land all three points here.

Hull are another side in good form and they have won each of their last four away games and take on Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. The Tangerines have won just one of their last nine games and lost at home to Wolves last time out. A Hull victory is 15/7 (pinnacle). The best bet in the Championship looks like Ipswich to beat Brighton at 17/10 (BetVictor). Under Mick McCarthy the Tractor Boys have won five of their last seven and take on a Brighton side without a win in their last five games and just three wins from their last 17 league games.

Into League One and the shock result of the season occured when Sheff Utd lost at home to bottom of the table Hartlepool (which was just the second win of the season for Hartlepool). The Blades are away to Doncaster and look no value at 13/8 (BetVictor/paddy Power) against a Donny side with just one defeat in their last eight games. This looks a game that is much too tough to call from a betting point of view though should be a great game for any neutrals.

Tranmere took advantage of the slip from Sheff Utd to move top of the table thanks to a 1-0 victory over Scunthorpe. They take on Bury next and many might fancy them at 6/4 (BetVictor/pinnacle) to win against a side with no wins from their last six league games. One bet I really like the look of in League One is the 8/1 (Skybet) on Lee Miller to score the first goal and the 11/4 (Skybet) on him to score at anytime. The Scot has had a horrible time of things in 2012 following the death of his wife and injury issues keeping him off the pitch. Miller is a quality player at this level who with a full season behind him could easily break the 20 goal barrier. He has two goals in his last two games and this seems to have slipped under the radar of the bookmakers. Opponents Crewe have kept a clean sheet in just one of their last six and in two of their last ten.

We talked at length in our half-term League Two report about how we were unconvinced by Gillingham holding on to the top slot much longer and suggested that Southend looked the side to pip them to the title. Since then the Shrimpers suffered their first defeat in eleven games away to Burton however I think they can bounce back with a victory here at 8/5 (BetVictor). Southend have won their last three home games and have a good record against the top sides in the division while Gillingham have won just one of their last six.

James Beattie has grabbed three in his last three home games for Accrington and looks good value in the scorer markets against Chesterfield. The former England international is 13/2 (paddy Power) to grab the opener while the same firm are offering 11/5 that he scores anytime.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Southend to beat Gillingham, 8/5 (BetVictor)
SILVER: Ipswich to beat Brighton, 17/10 (BetVictor)
BRONZE: Lee Miller to score v Crewe, first (8/1-Skybet) anytime (11/4-Skybet)

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07/01/2013     © Frixo 2024