Football Thursday Matches 24th Jan

With League Two action set to take place on Thursday night it gives us a good excuse to have a look at how the outright markets are shaping up in that division as well as preview the live game between AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale.

Port Vale are the current leaders in League Two and have taken 52 points from 27 games though just behind them sit Gillingham on 51 points from 26 games. Bookmakers make the battle for the title between these sides With Gillingham the 7/5 (boylesports/paddy Power/You Win) favourite for the title ahead of Port Vale at 7/4 (general). In terms of form it is Vale who are going best at the moment having taken 12 points from their last five games including victory at Gillingham. Gillingham meanwhile have taken just seven from those same five games. I would lean towards Vale if forced to chose as I trust Micky Adams a manager with promotions on his CV over Martin Allen. That said the prices do not inspire me to back either side.

Just nine points seperate Northampton in third and York in 16th so a lot is still to play for especially with three automatic promotion slots and four play-off places. This means that bookmakers are likely to offer some great value if you take a chance on a team in either the promotion market or to finish in the top seven market that BetVictor are offering. I could make the case for a number of teams here though instead I will restrict it to just the one I think represent the most value, Oxford. The Us have had a very up and down season that was perhaps as a result of the reports linking boss Chris Wilder with a move away from the club (most notably to Coventry). Now though the club are on an upward cycle going unbeaten in their last eight and winning the last four of these games. Although they sit in 12th place that is just four points from the play-offs and seven from automatic promotion. They also have at least one game in hand of many of their rivals. Take the 8/1 (BWIN/ladbrokes/Coral) on them to be promoted and even bigger stakes on them at 7/2 (BetVictor) to make the top seven.

Going back to the Thursday night game and bookmakers make the visiting Port Vale strong favourites to see off the home side AFC Wimbledon. Vale are 19/20 (BetVictor) for victory which is decent odds considering Vale have won their last three away from home with wins coming at high-flying Gillingham and Rotherham in addition to a success at Dagenham and Redbridge. The home team though have picked up in recent weeks taking seven points from their last three games. AFC Wimbledon can be backed at 16/5 (bet365) while the draw is a best priced 14/5 (bet365). I think bookmakers have the prices about right.

Those looking for a first goalscorer bet on the game will see the market is headed by Vale hotshot Tom Pope who is 4/1 (ladbrokes) for the first goal. Pope has 24 goals in 27 games including three in his last two. Pope though may have to share the goals with his new strike partner Lee Hughes who netted on his debut against Gillingham. Those looking for an AFC Wimbledon player should consider the in-form Paul McCullum who has got four in three games since his loan from West Ham and is a value 10/1 (paddy Power) to score the opener.

This looks worth a little play as does the 10/3 (paddy Power) in the anytime goalscorer market.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Oxford to finish in the top seven, 7/2 (BetVictor)
SILVER: Oxford to be promoted at 8/1 (BWin/ladbrokes/Coral)
BRONZE: Paul McCullum to score v Port Vale, first 10/1, anytime 10/3 (paddy power)

Go To bet365

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24/01/2013     © Frixo 2024