Four By Four / Four By Four / 28 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection each from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Multiple option.

Sunderland v Middlesbrough, KO: Sunday 13:30, live on ITV1, Match Odds: Sunderland [1.7], Middlesbrough [5.8], The Draw [4.0]

Sunderland are in a pretty good place right now. Metaphorically of course because the city hasn't changed location over the past recent weeks. Since Martin O'Neill took charge in early December the Black Cats have taken 16 points from a possible 24 in the league, including three off Manchester City, who were unbeaten at the time in all domestic competitions. They also safely negotiated a trip to Peterborough in the FA Cup, which is why they're up against Middlesbrough this weekend.

Boro were on fire just before Christmas but their players appear to have found it hard to have said no to post-dinner Port and stilton because in the five matches since Christmas they've won just one, an FA Cup home tie against Shrewsbury, with three defeats and a draw in the league. As the team in the higher division with home advantage and the better recent form, Sunderland are an obvious inclusion in this week's column.

Jamie Pacheco's selection: Back Sunderland @ [1.7]

Peterborough v Portsmouth, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Leeds [2.28], Ipswich [3.5], The Draw [3.5]

If you were playing a computer football management game, and had to endure the sort of events that have befallen Portsmouth in recent seasons, you'd probably switch it off and throw it away, mumbling something about "no club has that much thrown at it, it's unrealistic". But Pompey fans can't so easily turn off real life: FA Cup winners, administration, relegation, brushes with extinction . . . now they've got the Revenue issuing a winding up order.

Rumours suggest there may be a last-minute transfer window fire sale to raise funds. Therefore, you have to wonder what frame of mind Michael Appleton and his squad are in, so I'd be tipping a home win even if Pompey were not also seriously bad travellers.

Eight away defeats and just one win from 13 attempts - and they have failed to score in seven of those games. Chances are they would need to score at least one to avoid defeat at Peterborough, whose 28 goals at home so far is only bettered by Southampton. Posh have made a habit of taking points off the weaker teams: seven of their nine wins have been against sides in the bottom half. They may be without a league win in four attempts, but those games were against the sides fourth, fifth, sixth and 10th.

Andrew French's selection: Back Peterborough @ [2.28]

Tranmere v Huddersfield, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Tranmere [4.3], Huddersfield [1.98], The Draw [3.7]

Huddersfield are seeking their fourth league win in a row on Saturday, and will face a Tranmere side that seem to raise their game against the better teams. Rovers have been tough to beat this season at Prenton Park, losing just three of their 14 matches.

Tranmere's boss Les Parry has mentioned this fact in the build up to the encounter, speaking of this puzzling ability to be less nervous around the better teams, whilst struggling to gain results against the likes of Bury and Rochdale. Parry has been fighting with a few injuries recently, and options in attack are slightly thin on the ground with striker Enoch Showunmi sidelined.

Huddersfield came from two goals down to beat Brentford in the live Sky game last weekend, with Jordan Rhodes netting the winner. His finish was sublime, and showed why Newcastle and West Ham have been linked. The striker has hit 28 league and cup goals this season and is the most clinical in the division by miles.

The Terriers are missing winger Gary Roberts through injury, but they have built up another roll of momentum to start gunning down Charlton at the top of the table. Huddersfield hit six against Wycombe recently (where Rhodes scored five), and held Sheffield Wednesday 4-4 (Rhodes bagged all four), so the danger is fairly clear for the home defence.

Alan Dudman's selection: Back Huddersfield @ [1.98]

Torquay v Northampton, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Torquay [1.8], Northampton [4.9], The Draw [4.0]

It is perhaps time to take notice of Torquay's play-off pretensions. Martin Ling's men have sneaked up somewhat unnoticed - perhaps because the attention was on their former boss Paul Buckle and his troubles and exit at Bristol Rovers. Four straight wins is not something every side achieves in a season. They've achieved five once already, if you count an FA Cup victory, from late October - reason to think they can match that now.

The Gulls emphasised their credentials when Lee Mansell's goal proved enough to see off what must have been a spirited Dagenham, given their predicament. Two defeats in 15 shows the progress since Buckle upped sticks in the summer - after leading the Devon club to the play-offs.

Northampton are heading south - and fast. Victory, at Morecambe, three games ago seems like a mirage in the desert. Going in leading at half-time and then losing can't help confidence for Aidy Boothroyd's men.

Ian Lamont's selection: Back Torquay @ [1.8]

Recommended Multiple

Back Sunderland @ [1.7]; Back Peterborough @ [2.28]; Back Huddersfield @ [1.98]; Back Torquay @ [1.8]; The multiple pays approximately [14.0]

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