League One Betting: Get on the Gas to reverse a faltering start...

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 21 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

...while goals can be expected at Brisbane Road and Lions may roar on the coast. All this an more in Al Dudman's weekend preview of the League One betting action...

Like many of you out there in Betfairland, I have been glued to the excellent coverage of the Olympics this week, and have been blown away by the sheer brilliance of some of the athletes (with particular focus on the Women's Beach Volleyball). However, after watching 'Sex In The City' recently (well I do consider myself metrosexual), I would happily agree with a comment made by she of zero fashion sense Carrie Bradshaw: "balls are to men what purses are to
women", it's back to the balls for me and it's back to this weekend's fixtures in League One.

It was another case of 'close but no cigar' last week, Hereford and Carlisle did what was expected, but Bristol Rovers' late equaliser at Brighton didn't quite give is the full compliment of Cafe Cremes to make it a clean sweep. Saturday's matches are looking slightlier trickier than the previous ones, so I might be tempted in to siding with some big priced selections.

For fear of upsetting Hereford United fans again and setting myself up for a sackload of hate mail, the Bulls simply must be opposed at Bristol Rovers.

Graham Turner's men have been beaten 2-1 in all three matches this term (including Carling Cup) and seem to be struggling to adapt to life in a higher division.

They fought back well from 2-0 down against Yeovil last Saturday, but still don't convince me. I predicted a battle against relegation from the outset, and am unlikely to change my mind for a while.

Although Bristol Rovers hold a similar profile in the sense they are yet to win a game, they dominated the second half at Brighton last week (drawing 1-1) and went down to League leaders Carlisle on matchday one despite the fact they scored three times.

Paul Trollope is a canny young coach, his side have met teams who will both be up there at the end of the season and at [2.0] Rovers should take advantage of what will be their easiest game
to date, and will have little trouble in landing the points.

I did promise some slightly bigger prices, so I will be tempted to take a chance on Millwall at [4.0] to gain their first win this term away at Northampton.

The Lions have always been inconsistent, and are never a proposition at short prices. However the 4-3 defeat to Oldham now stacks up well, as does the recent draw at Southend. The Londoners created quite a few chances at Roots Hall and I think they can score at Sixfields.

What of Northampton? Well they dumped Millwall out of the League Cup but I wouldn't read too much in to that. Their League form has been somewhat of a curate's egg. Big win at Cheltenham, narrow loss to Mk Dons. They've also lost Hungarian defender Gabor Gyepes to Cardiff this week which is a definite plus for Lions backers.

Early pacesetters Oldham Athletic stunned Leeds last week and John Sheridan's side have a relatively straightforward task at [1.71] to beat Cheltenham [4.8] at Boundary Park.

It doesn't take a genius to advise backing Oldham, but what may be of more interest is the correct score market. The Latics ooze energy, creativity and goals and have already netted six
times in just two outings. I suggest a back of Oldham winning 3-0 and 3-1, both scorelines available at [13.0].

I seem to mention Leyton Orient every week, but a home game against Carlisle United will surely be nothing other than a goalfest. The O's have conceded seven in their last two, Carlisle have scored loads and conceded quite a few. I would back John Ward's team to beat Orient at [2.5], would also back the over 2.5 goals, and also go for some high scorelines in favour of the visitors. 1-3 [23.0], 2-3 [34.0] and 0-3 [32.0].

One game that has me puzzled is Crewe against Walsall. The latter have raised a few eyebrows with their excellent start, whilst the former seem to be hopeless on paper and sit bottom of the division.

I don't really like the prices for either side, Crewe too short, Walsall not big enough. This could be mighty unpredictable as the home side appear unable to defend but love to attack. I suspect goals so let us take a big chance on 3-3 at [75.0] and 2-2 [16.0].

A friend of mine has just sent a text informing me that the SAS are based in Hereford. Hmmmm, he who dares...