Promotion Pushers to Punish Prey

After another nice weekend of football picks we're looking to midweek football action & some picks from the English leagues other than the Premiership. It's important not to discount betting opportunities just because you can't see it on TV & we keep a keen eye on the lower league action & there's often value to be had away from the bright lights. As ever you can follow us on Twitter @LikeBuyingMoney by clicking the button above so join up & take the opportunity to send us your best bets for the weekend where we'll post in a followers' tips blog.

(Curtis Davies hasn't always filled his potential but he's a great price to score against Barnsley)

Chris Hughton has done a phenomenal job at Birmingham City & he'll be hoping to continue his side's push for promotion from the Championship when they play Barnsley at Oakwell. Birmingham haven't been beaten since a loss to Crystal Palace before Christmas, they've since had some impressive wins away from home, beating Millwall 6-0, Sheffield United 4-0 & Leeds 4-1 & they gained a deserved replay after holding Chelsea in the FA Cup this past weekend. Barnsley meanwhile have struggled to find any consistency in their game & their form in the league since Christmas reads LWLWLWLLW & they've not played a side who are currently in the top 9 in that sequence. Birmingham have a few injuries going forward & Zigic & N'Daw are certain to miss out & Marlon King will face a late fitness test, they are rock solid defensively & have quality in attack & pose a real threat from set pieces especially when Curtis Davies comes forwards - he's available at 40/1 to get the first goal with Coral. With 6 wins in their last 8 we can't ignore Birmingham's chances here & they can be backed at a very reasonable 6/5 to take all three points.

(MK's leading scorer Dean Bowditch has scored twice in his last two games)

In League One, MK Dons host Bury at the Stadium MK. The MK Dons sit in the play-off places whilst Bury are in mid table in 13th. The Dons beat Oldham Athletic 5-0 at the weekend after a difficult spell of fixtures where they faced four of the top six. They only picked up two points from these games but three of the four were away from home. Their home form sees them unbeaten in their last three, winning two, and they have only been defeated once their all season. Visitors Bury has struggled lately with two defeats & two draws in their last four league games. They have a modest away record & have suffered defeats in half of them. They do have six victories on the road but all but one of these have come against sides who are 16th or lower in the league. We expect MK Dons to be too strong for a very average Bury side at a best price of 4/6 with BetVictor.

Selections:
Birmingham City to beat Barnsley at 6/5 (Coral & William Hill)
Curtis Davies to score first at 40/1 in Barnsley v Birmingham (Coral)
MK Dons to beat Bury at 4/6 (BetVictor)