English Football League / Alan Dudman / 19 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Huddersfield Town [1.60] versus Hartlepool [6.20], the draw [4.20]

Huddersfield - the team many tipped for the title at the start of the season, are once again hitting a rich vein of form. At [17.50] to win the division, you would think there is still some way to go to catch the likes of Leeds United (who already trade at odds-on in that market). But one thing we know about the Terriers is that they have winning spurts, and goalscoring spurts.

If only those free-flowing attacking displays were consistent throughout the whole season.

Well if it's goals you are after, Lee Clark's side are giving us plenty. They mullered Wycombe last weekend 6-0, prior to that they savaged Dagenham in the FA Cup 6-1, and they've netted 20 times from their last four outings. Their free-scoring attacking flair is unrivalled in the division as the Yorkshire outfit seek their fifth straight win. Forward Jordan Rhodes has been linked to Reading this week and he mirrors the team in hitting purple patches.

This game isn't quite the pushover the market suggests. Hartlepool are too big at that price considering they are more than capable away from home. Manager Chris Turner has always maintained the seven signings over the summer would take time to gel, and by November - we really ought to see the fruits of that labour. Key to the Hartlepool angle is the front two. James Brown has returned from injury, and his partnership in recent weeks has once again blossomed with fellow forward Adam Boyd.

Goals have been problematic at home, but the back four are fairly reliable in the favoured 4-4-2. Pool are capable of clean sheets, Saturday will be a good test against the in-form team of the division - but the home side are too short, the away side are too big.

Recent results suggest a fair few goals, but Hartlepool will be a stiffer test than the likes of Wycombe and Dagenham.

Suggested bets:

Back Hartlepool @ [6.20]
Back under 2.5 goals @ [2.30]

Carlisle United [2.40] versus Swindon Town [3.35], the draw [3.50]

Despite Morecambe taking Carlisle to a gruelling FA Cup replay, the Cumbrians are playing alright at the moment. Recent home wins against Charlton and Southend have seen Greg Abbott's side move in the right direction.

The Foxes are better at home, and tend to play nice and pretty. Recently they've started to win a bit uglier - a quality managers love for some reason. I would expect Abbott to revert back to a 4-4-2 this Saturday, having played one up front last week at Bristol Rovers. The 4-5-1 clearly doesn't suit Vincent Pericard, and it didn't really at the Gas.

Swindon are fresh, they've had no game for 11 days and defensively are very solid with the axis of Greer and Cuthbert holding things together. I would suggest Danny Wilson's side are better away, and have tested the better teams in the division.

It's hard to split these two, with the draw perhaps the sexier play at the odds.

Suggested bets:

Back the draw @ [3.50]
Back 0-0 [12.00], and 1-1 [14.00]

Leyton Orient [2.16] versus Tranmere Rovers [3.90]. draw [3.45]

Two teams who know loads about eachother. Two teams that can't score, and two teams
that are well and truly in a relegation battle. Set the Sky Plus. Not.........

Having tussled over 180 bland FA Cup minutes, Tranmere could put forward a case to be backed at [3.90] having dumped the Londoners out.

Orient are being booed and jeered, boss Geraint Williams is under pressure. Not much
quality on show, not many goals.

Suggested plays:

Back under 2.5 goals [1.89]
Back 0-0 [10.00], back 0-1 either way at about [11.00]

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