English Football League / Alan Dudman / 27 December 2009 /

Alan Dudman gave his followers a very merry Christmas with an astonishing 23pt profit to a £1 level stake on his Boxing Day League One tips. Read our form man's next batch of bets here

Colchester United [2.52] versus Southampton [3.00], the draw [3.34]

For me, this ranks as one of the games of the holiday period, as Colchester will be looking to maintain their fine home record against a resurgent Southampton. Both came through their Boxing Day clashes with wins, albeit Col U slightly less comfortable, but there is no doubt both clubs would have had one eye on this fixture, and those games on the 26th were all about getting the job done.

I am intrigued by the managers and their clash of styles (and maybe egos) this Monday. Aidy Boothroyd was destined to be higher profile at Watford - but things didn't quite develop. Alan Pardew was perhaps the best young coach in the country following West Ham's epic FA Cup final display against Liverpool. I must admit as a Hammers man I have always liked Pards, and felt he was a potential future England boss.

Pardew plays the football, Boothroyd loves a long ball sprinkled with some good old fashioned muscle. Both however are the most thoroughly prepared and organised managers in the division. They'll have dossiers, dvds, reports and assessments on everything. Although different in styles, they both have similar values when it comes to players' fitness and how hard they work them.

In short, Pardew and Southampton are a perfect fit. And he would have loved over 30,000 on Boxing Day at the St Mary's - very few can do that in this league.

I think the Saints are perfectly capable of handling Colchester on the physical side of things, and I think they can out-football them on the deck, which is why I think they look a decent bet this Monday. They have goals everywhere across the midfield and frontline - with David Connolly proving to be a lovely little signing to complement, Rickie Lambert, the best forward in the league.

Suggested bets: Back Southampton to win @ [3.00]
Back Southampton to win 0-1 [10.00], 2-1 [14.00]


Stockport County [10.00] versus Leeds United [1.40], the draw [5.10]

On very few occasions would I ever write about a heavy odds-on shot. But Leeds United were [1.40] at home to Hartlepool on Boxing Day, and this Monday they are the same price for a trip across the Pennines to take on the worst team in the division. This is a far easier game.

Simon Grayson's side have the best away defence in the division, and top the table on 53 points, the latest collected courtesy of a cruise control performance on Saturday when beating Hartlepool 3-1. Grayson would have wanted to keep a couple of players fresh for this period, and his squad is more than capable of coping with knocks to Andrew Hughes and Richard Naylor (who both could be doubtful for the trip to Edgeley Park).

I have just witnessed Kauto Star romping home in the King George at Kempton by 25 lengths with a price attached to him of about [1.59]. Go compare!!! Leeds should win this in a canter.

Suggested bets: Back Leeds to win 1-0 [7.00], 2-0 [6.80] and 3-0 [10.00]


Leyton Orient [2.58] versus Southend United [3.00], the draw [3.35]

Orient are dodgy at the moment, their Boxing Day 0-0 at home to Brighton was about as exciting as the Turkey sandwich that has been sitting next to me for two hours. It was a shocking game with no quality - although they did keep their first clean sheet in 15 games.

Geraint Williams' side are struggling for form and look very tense in possession. Southend on the other hand played some decent stuff against Colchester on Boxing Day, and could have got a point or even three had their finishing and defending been better.

Steve Tilson's men have lost three in four, but Monday is the perfect game to get back on track
and I am banking on them scoring at Brisbane Road.

Suggested bets: Back Southend to win @ [3.00]
Back Southend to win 0-1 [9.00], and 2-1 [13.00]

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