The English season is now getting into the back straight & the leagues are taking form with those few teams right at the top looking to battle it out for the title & late charges out of the pack looking increasingly unlikely, the teams in the middle are all jostling for position whilst those in the relegation places try to hang onto the tails of the rest of the pack. It makes for an interesting run in & there's plenty to play for in every game, cup action last week meant that some teams were able to give breathers to players after a heavy Christmas workload so we should see some good games between full-strength sides. As ever we've searched through the divisions for the weekend's best bets & think we've found an especially storming one down in League Two.
(Paul Scharner & West Brom can win the battle against Norwich)
West Bromwich Albion have hadd a bit of a stop-start season so far with injuries & form problems with some key players but they do have an underlying quality & one of the very best managers in the land in Roy Hodgson, they'll be looking to impove on just two home league wins when taking on Norwich City at the Hawthorns. Both sides have had similar form this year with 6 wins each but Norwich have 3 more draws & even though they only have 3 points more than West Brom they sit 6 places higher in 9th compared to 15th, it goes to show how tight it is away from the 3 teams that have pulled away at the top. In the meeting at Carrow Road the Baggies prevailed thanks to an early Peter Odemwingie goal & some tight defending, it's one of only 3 league games the Canaries have failed to score in so was a decent achievement. Norwich's strength has been in going forwards with Grant Holt & Steve Morison netting 7 times apiece in the league but they aren't so great at the back & West Brom will look to exploit that. Simon Cox has been promised game time & managed a hattrick against Cardiff in the FA Cup, Odemwingie is showing more of the form he had last season & our favourite Paul Scharner is always a danger, he's a big priced 18/1 to score first. 6 is the magic number for West Brom as they look to welcome back 6 first teamers from injury & this is the first game in a run of 6 against teams in the bottom dozen - they can get that run off to a nice start with a home win here at odds of 11/10 & improve on their 6 wins so far.
 |
| (Gaffer John Coleman is making winning a habit for his Accrington side lately) |
In League Two, Accrington Stanley host Barnet at the Crown Ground. Accrington are currently flying up the league towards the play-off places whilst Barnet are in 20th position & only two points off the relegation spots. Accrington haven't suffered a defeat since October & have taken 24 points from their last ten league games with seven wins & three draws. In front of their own fans they have won their last four league games scoring an impressive 12 goals in the process. Visitors Barnet are on a poor run of form with three defeats, one draw & one win in their last five league games. All season they have struggled on the road & they have the worst record in the league with 8 defeats & only 8 points gained in 12 matches. We expect Accrington to continue their fine form at the expense of a struggling Barnet side at a price of 3/4.
 |
| (Scottish striker Darryl Duffy we be looking to add another goal to his collection against Aldershot) |
Also in the same division, the other form side Cheltenham Town entertain Aldershot at Abbey Business Stadium, the Robins are one point behind leaders Crawley & sit in the final automatic place whilst Aldershot sit in 16th place. Cheltenham had a glamour tie against Premiership side Spurs in the FA Cup last weekend & it was the first time they've been defeated since late October (a 1-0 defeat to Crewe). They have won 11 of their last 14 league games & their last two against Rotherham & Port Vale. Their summer signing Darryl Duffy has 11 goals in all competitions so far & with confidence riding high goals are flowing regularly throughout the side. Opposition Aldershot are on a terrible run of form currently with six defeats in their last eight league games & in these matches they have managed only 2 goals & none in their last four. You can't see where Aldershot's next goal is coming from let alone victory so we feel Cheltenham are a home banker this weekend & should form part of any accumulators as well as warranting a hefty individual bet at an outstanding price of 4/5 .
Selections:
West Bromwich Albion to beat Norwich City at 11/10 (Blue Square & Coral)
Paul Scharner to score first at 18/1 (Skybet & Ladbrokes) in West Brom v Norwich game
Accrington Stanley to beat Barnet at 3/4 (Victor Chandler & SportingBet)
Cheltenham Town to beat Aldershot at 4/5 (Victor Chandler & Coral) Like Buying Money's Star Bet
West Brom could be a good shout tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThey can be a bit cautious at times, but I would imagine that Roy Hodgson will have identified Norwich as a game he can/must win, and therefore I expect to see West Brom go all out for the win.
Odds on for West Brom looks a touch too long to be honest, wouldn't be surprised to see that vanish by tomorrow lunch time.
I noticed that Spurs are 4.2 to lay on AUQ against Wolves tomorrow, I can see that being worth a lay with a view to backing later on, just in case.
Personally I can see Spurs scraping wins a bit more over next few weeks, rather than hammering teams. Pressure might start to tell with them in league title race, I know I will probably end up eating my words, but 4.2 really does look too short.
Regards, Dean
Nice one Dean, hopefully WBA are able to field a strong side today - if so it should be a cracking game, certainly goals in it. Will watch the Spurs game with interest too.
ReplyDelete