League One Betting: Back flying Owls to down the Bees

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 02 September 2010 / Leave a Comment

Alan Irvine and team should be celebrating another win for the Wednesday

"Wednesday's win against Pool was nothing short of ruthless, and Alan Irvine's team are looking a really professional outfit. They should do though, with players like Neil Mellor, Clinton Morrison and Giles Coke."

Sheffield Wednesday go to Brentford for a Sky-televised clash on Sunday and Alan Dudman is keen on the Owls' chances. Read that and his other League One fancies here

Brentford [3.25] v Sheffield Wednesday [2.2], the draw [3.55]
Sunday - Live on Sky
Sheffield Wednesday have laid down their marker and following a 5-0 drubbing of Hartlepool last Saturday, the Yorkshire giants have been cut to second favourites for the title at [4.7]. Their win against Pool was nothing short of ruthless, and Alan Irvine's team are looking a really professional outfit. They should do though, with players like Neil Mellor, Clinton Morrison and Giles Coke.
One of Hartlepool's defenders mentioned they were just punished by a side with a different calibre of player, and said of Wednesday: "They are physical, clinical and very strong." All qualities that don't bode particularly well for Brentford, who sit bottom of the league.
The Bees are certainly not buzzing, and the honeypot appears empty. Manager Andy Scott's honeymoon is now officially over. Saturday's loss to Rochdale was a complete embarrassment (Scott's words not mine), and their defensive frailties are too apparent.
Brentford have lost three of their four games and are giving up cheap goals. Their squad hasn't been improved either from last season. The Londoners played a 4-4-2 against Rochdale with the middle two getting completely swamped by Rochdale's
three. If Scott goes with that again they'll get torn all over the place. And with the Live Sky TV markets we have more at our fingertips.
Wednesday to keep a clean sheet @ [3.1] is massive, and the away side need to get Giles Coke as much on the ball as possible, and should be looked at in the first goalscorer market.
Wednesday are the Burt Reynolds original 'Mean Machine'. Brentford are more 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'Herbie Goes Bananas.'
Best bet: Back Wednesday to win @ [2.2]
Back Wednesday to keep a clean sheet @ [3.1]


Southampton [1.55] v Rochdale [7.6], the draw [4.3]
Southampton walloped Bristol Rovers 4-0 last weekend, and manager Alan Pardew subsequently got the sack. I think it's big mistake as I am a fan of Pards. Saints fans think so aswell, as they chanted "There's only one Alan Pardew," and "We want our Pardew back," during the midweek JPT surrender to Swindon.
Paul Hart, Phil Brown and Gianfranco Zola have all been linked with the vacant post at St Mary's - watch this space.
For Saturday's game, Southampton are hardly bomb-proof at [1.55], but they ought to win this. They haven't been playing brilliantly, and the Tuesday defeat to Swindon had them playing the wrong formation completely. However, it's Rochdale
we are dealing with - not Benfica. Saints attacker Adam Lallana is still one of the best players in the division.
Suggested bet: Back Southampton to win 2-0 @ [7.0]


Oldham Athletic [1.86] v Bristol Rovers [4.60], the draw [3.69]
Oldham head into this game off the back of a midweek JPT defeat to Shrewsbury. Not a bad thing, as manager Paul Dickov decided to rest a few, with Jason Jarrett and Ritchie Jones back in the equation for this Saturday. Last weekend's 0-0 against Yeovil was slightly disappointing, but the Latics had the better chances and could have won had it not been for
two brilliant saves.
Yeovil decided to defend with the aim of shutting up shop - and it worked. Oldham lacked the craft and guile that is neccessary to turn games in a flash, as the Glovers stuck plenty behind the ball. Chris Taylor could be key here in this game, as his invention down the left is critical.
Rovers have defensive problems, and doesn't manager Paul Trollope know it. Having been brushed aside by Southampton last Saturday, the Gas opted to hump balls to the front pair - which patently didn't work - or won't work. Rovers and their front two tend to get isolated too much in a game, which should give Oldham plenty of ball and the chance to create.
Back: Oldham to win [1.86]
Back Oldham 1-0 [7.80]