League One HT Report

Sheffield United are the leaders at the halfway stage of the League One season and bookmakers make them the 5/2 (general) favourites. The Blades remarkably have lost just two games this season and though they draw a lot (ten draws so far this season) they look worthy favourites. It is tight at the top of League One with just thirteen points seperating Sheff U at the top of the table and Preston in 15th place. This means that any number of teams are still capable of securing one of the promotion places. MK Dons are the 4/1 (paddy Power/Stan James) second favourites though with a number of teams in the mix at a better price I will be swerving them.

The two form teams in the league are Brentford and Bournemouth. Brentford are unbeaten in their last nine league games winning seven of these. The Bees are currently in third place two behind leaders Sheff U and with a game in hand. At 6/1 (general) they do not look the worst bet for the title and with the scoring threat of Clayton Donaldson I would add them to the portfolio. Also in the portfolio I would throw in the other form team in the division, Bournemouth. The Cherries are now 8/1 (general) and have gone under a remarkable run since the return of Eddie Howe to the club winning eight and drawing three of their last eleven games in the league. Others expected to be in the mix for the title are Swindon at 7/1 (general), Doncaster at 14/1 (Coral), Tranmere 20/1 (general) and Notts County at 33/1 (BetVictor).

Also in the promotion market side with Coventry at 11/1 (Coral) as they are just eight points off the play-off places and in their last nine games the Sky Blues have secured six wins, two draws and just the one defeat. The promotion market offers the cover of an extra chance should your side miss out on the automatic places and only make the play-offs. In Mark Robins Coventry have a good young manager and they seem to be progressing well on the pitch at least. Another way to play this is in the top six finish market where you can get the Sky Blues at a generous 9/2 (BetVictor) to finish in the play-off slots.

At the other end of the table and Hartlepool seem already be gone with just nine points from their first 22 games with Scunthorpe the nearest on 20 points. BetVictor who are the only firm to offer odds on League 1 relegation have written off the chances of Hartlepool (1/100), Portsmouth (1/50) and Bury (1/4). Bookmakers make the fourth relegation slot a battle between Shrewsbury (13/8), Scunthorpe (10/3), Colchester (7/2), Carlisle (7/2) and Walsall (6/1).

The top goalscorer market is always dangerous as you are unsure as to which player will still be with the club at the end of January so it might pay to hold bets until then. Clayton Donaldson is the 9/2 (Skybet) market leader as the Brentford man has netted 12 this season which is three behind Coventry forward David McGoldrick who has grabbed 15 in the league. It is likely to come down to those two with Nick Blackman (15/2-Skybet), Lewis Grabban (10/1-Skybet/BetVictor), Izale McLeod (12/1-Skybet), Jake Cassidy (12/1-bet365/Skybet) and Leon Clarke (12/1-Skybet/BetVictor) among those expected to also be among the goals.

Going back to Brentford and Bournemouth if like us you think they will go well this season and finish as the top two then you can get them at a generous 25/1 (BetVictor) in the dual forecast market.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Brentford to win League 1, 6/1 (general), Bournemouth to win L1, 8/1 (general)
SILVER: Brentford/Bournemouth dual forecast, 25/1 (BetVictor)
BRONZE: Coventry to make the top six, 9/2 (BetVictor) to get promotion 11/1 (Coral)

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07/01/2013     © Frixo 2024