Division One Betting: Orient a good back-to-lay for the title and Brighton are this week's banker

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 14 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Alan Dudman talks us through the world of Division One football betting this week which includes a banker as Brighton battle with Bristol.

With the government constantly telling us to conserve energy and recycle, I have decided to be a man of action and take them up on both directives. Firstly, I have conserved all my
energy this week by doing absolutely nothing and have watched an obscene amount of sport live from my sofa. And secondly, I will be recycling my opinions on Hereford United as well as a few old gags (see intro).

Before we take a look ahead to the weekend's fixtures, it may be worth having more than a cursory glance at a few ante-post markets after the opening day of the season. What have we learned? Well Leeds look mighty short to win the title, too short in fact at [3.25], and Whites striker Jermaine Beckford is a crazy price to lift the goalscorer's crown at [5.2]. I would not lay the former but the latter looks a complete over-reaction to a midweek Carling Cup treble and an opening day winner (thanks for that by the way Jermaine - see last week's preview.

Seeking the value in those two markets available, Northampton forward Adebayo
Akinfenwa looks a shade too big (not the first time such comment has been levelled at
the player) at [42.0] to score most goals in the division. The 26-year-old had a decent
record towards the end of last term and seems to have carried this in to the new
campaign. Several clubs were after him in the summer and it appears the journeyman
hitman may have found his paradigm at the Sixfields. He scored twice last Saturday
and also takes pens, so get your weight behind him.

Have a peek too at Brighton's Nicky Forster. The former Reading man is currently there
to back at [24.0]. He hit 21 goals last season and has started this one well. The Seagulls
are a play-off side in waiting, and providing Forster stays fit, should be near the top end
of the charts.

Elsewhere last season's play-off semi-finalists Carlisle United are a decent side, the
Cumbrians trade at [18.0] to win League One whilst it appears nobody can get a handle
on Leyton Orient's hopes. The Londoners have drifted out to [100.0] despite last Saturday's
victory. I make them a 40-1 shot, so quite frankly get stuck in at the price with a view
of getting ourselves a free bet. Martin Ling's men also are around [8.6] for promotion.

So, in the words of Julius Caesar: "What has another day to offer?". The Dudman answer
would be: "Loads Emperor, loads."

I like to start my preview of games with the weekend banker. Brighton and Hove Albion
are the ones this week. The Seagulls trade at [1.9] to beat Bristol Rovers, and should
be able to carry on their good start.

Micky Adams' side have enjoyed a wonderful beginning with a 2-1 victory at Crewe (a
scoreline which flattered Crewe) and a 4-0 battering of Barnet in the Cup.

Throw in a cheeky back of over 2.5 goals too at 1.8. Brighton have scored six goals
in two games so far, Rovers have conceded three and scored twice. A recipe for
the vital commodity I hear you say! I expect a set-piece goal or two somewhere
down the line. Brighton's Kevin McLeod takes a mean free-kick, expect Adam Virgo's
head to be on the end of it and hopefully...nunc est bibendum.

Now then, what about Hereford United? Well I was against them last week, and I have to
say I am against them for the Yeovil game.

The Bulls have not convinced me in their signings, they blew a lead at Orient, and did so
again during the Carling Cup exit at the hands of Crystal Palace on Tuesday....not
a good trait in a side.

I will be laying Hereford at [2.2], and you could probably get at them at a lower price
if they take a lead. Yeovil are by no means fantastic, but having drawn their opening
game of the season with Walsall, they dumped Charlton out of the League Cup
and will have a bit more momentum.

I am not a great lover of the short ones, a phrase Sophie Dahl and Katie Holmes would
probably take issue with. But Carlisle United look a steal at [1.66] to beat Crewe.

As I have tipped them outright for the title at [18.0], John Ward's side should easily
dispose of the visitors. Crewe look real slow at the back (have you seen Baudet?!),
they are also minus record £2.5m exit Nicky Maynard and are easily opposable.