Football Leagues Preview 9th Feb

The pressure is starting to tell at the top of League One with just two of the top six winning their last game. Here is our guide to the action in the lower leagues this weekend.

If ever a bet looked a total banker it would be in the League One game between Bournemouth and Portsmouth on Saturday, two teams headed in opposite directions.While the Cherries are the outright favourites to win the division, Pompey are odds on to be relegated. It looks a very straight forward game to predict though odds of 3/10 (Coral) do nothing for me. If you want to side with Bournemouth you could try enhancing this price with a couple of scorer/win double bets. You can get Brett Pitman (who netted a hat-trick in the last Bournemouth home game) and a Bournemouth win at 39/40 (BetVictor) while Lewis Grabban (who has netted in two of the last three games) is 13/10 (BetVictor) to score and for Bournemouth to win.

The best bet in League One is in the game between Carlisle and Stevenage where the Cumbrians can be backed at a generous 11/8 (ladbrokes/Coral). Carlisle are unbeaten in their last four league games at home winning three and drawing one while last weekend they won at leaders Tranmere. The return of Lee Miller has been the inspiration for a turn around in fortunes for a side who were in danger of slipping into League Two a few months ago. The good news continued last week when Rory Loy returned after 13 months out with a broken leg. The Cumbrians should be on a high and victory over Stevenage looks likely this Saturday. Stevenage have lost five of their last seven and have slid down the table and although they did win last time out that was against out of sorts Notts County. Just one of these sides is keen for the season to continue and that is the Cumbrians.

Staying in League One the most interesting game of the day for me is the one that pitches two teams just outside the play-off slots as seventh placed Yeovil travel to eighth placed Coventry. Both sides are in great form with the Sky Blues losing just two of their last 14 in the league while Yeovil have won each of their last five in the league. I talked in midweek about the goal scoring threat of Paddy Madden who has netted seven in his last four for Yeovil yet he can still be backed at 2/1 (BetVictor) to score anytime. This looks worth a bet bearing in mind the Sky Blues have kept a clean sheet in just one of their last 18 games in all competitions.

In League Two it is Port Vale who are four points clear at the top after a five game run of form that has seen them take 13 points from the possible 15 available. The next game sees them travel to Barnet who have just lost one of their last eight at home in the league. At evens (general) Vale might appeal to some though I think I will give them a miss.

The best bet in this division is in taking Plymouth to get something out of their game with Aldershot. Only AFC Wimbledon have taken fewer points at home than Aldershot this season (12) while Plymouth arrive on the back of a three game unbeaten run. Plymouth should have got all three points out of their game with Dagenham and Redbridge last weekend but for an inspired goalkeeping display. The draw must be factored in so take the 13/8 (ladbrokes) Plymouth in the draw no bet market.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Carlisle to beat Stevenage, 11/8 (ladbrokes/Coral)
SILVER: Plymouth draw no bet v Aldershot, 13/8 (ladbrokes)
BRONZE: Paddy Madden to score anytime v Coventry, 2/1 (BetVictor)

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09/02/2013     © Frixo 2024