Football League Preview 5th Feb

Seven games take place in the lower levels of English Football (Leagues 1 and 2) Tuesday evening here is our guide to the best of the bets.

By the time you have read this preview Paolo Di Canio may have resigned, re-signed, resigned, re-signed such is the attention seeking nature of the Swindon boss. Should the Italian have got over his spat with the owners then his Swindon side will fancy their chances of getting something at Colchester. These sides are seperated by 15 places in the division and despite recent success over Portsmouth and Walsall I am not convinced that this season is going to be anything but a struggle for Colchester. I was tempted by odds of 19/20 (Coral) on the Swindon victory though the issues of Di Canio means I will be avoiding this game.

It was a bad weekend for managers in League One with both Keith Curle and Paul Dickov leaving their roles. Despite a cup victory over Liverpool Dickov could do nothing to stop the troubles of Oldham in the league. Dickov quit at the weekend after defeat to Walsall left them one point and one place above the relegation zone. Oldham are in action on Tuesday night as they take on Yeovil who are on a remarkable run of form taking 20 points from their last ten league games and winning five of their last six games played. Paddy Madden is on fire for at the moment netting seven in his last four and he must fancy his chances against an Oldham side that are leaking goals at an alarming rate. Take Madden at 8/5 (paddy Power) in the anytime scorer market and at 9/1 (paddy Power) to score two or more (which he has in three of his last four). Keith Curle paid the price for a run of form that saw Notts County win just two of their last 11 including a loss to Hartlepool at the weekend (most notable for the fact that Hartley and Poole were the goalscorers). County have an away game with Stevenage who themselves are out of form winning five of their last six. This looks a game to stay clear of from a betting point of view.

Also in League One that evening Sheff United will look to put an end to a run of four games without a win in all competitions when they take on Crawley, the Blades are the evens (general) favourite to take all three points. In a crucial game at the bottom 22nd placed Scunthorpe take on 23rd placed Portsmouth and it is Scunny who are the 11/18 (pinnacle) favourites. This looks a nightmare game from a betting point of view as you have a Portsmouth side who are on a seven game losing run against a Scunthorpe side with the worst home record in the division. One to avoid.

Two games take place in League Two and the best bet of the evening comes in the game between Cheltenham and Bristol Rovers. Rovers are massive value to get something from the trip to Cheltenham. Rovers have won four of their last five, including their last three. John Ward has done a remarkable job since his appointment and with wins at Rotherham and Fleetwood in recent weeks a trip to Cheltenham will hold no fear. Take Rovers with +0.5 on the Asian Handicap which will pay out if they win or draw this game. pinnacle are the standout price in this market offering 17/16. Although Cheltenham won at the weekend that was just their second win in their last eight games and was against a Torquay side who had taken just six points from their previous eight games.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Bristol Rovers +0.5 on the Asian Handicap, 17/16 (pinnacle)
SILVER: Paddy Madden to score anytime v Oldham, 8/5 (paddy power)
BRONZE: Paddy Madden to score two or more v Oldham, 9/1 (paddy power)

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05/02/2012     © Frixo 2024