English Football League / Alan Dudman / 30 December 2010 /

Alan Dudman talks us through the best betting options ahead of another exciting weekend of League One action.

MK Dons [1.96] v Bristol Rovers [4.40], the draw [3.70]

The home side will have a definite edge over their rivals on New Year's Day, and that is a rare recent match outing. The MK Dons played on Tuesday and beat a decent Bournemouth team 2-0.

It was a brilliant first-half display, with a more solid and determined second-half performance.

Manager Karl Robinson is another highly promising young coach plying his trade in this division, and the hallmark of his team (in particular at home) is their good movement and ball retention. Robinson used to work at the Liverpool Academy, and his principals have not budged at the Stadium MK.

The Dons have moved to within a point of the play-offs, although are perhaps not quite as strong as some of the teams at the helm. But Robinson has gone about his business in a calm and collected manner. Although he has wanted more pace and directness recently, I still think they are a decent footballing outfit on home soil.

Bristol Rovers have had just one competitive game in a month, and that could be a problem tackling the MK Dons - who played just four days earlier.

Suggested bets: Back MK Dons to win @ [1.96]

Colchester United [2.66] v Charlton Athletic [2.90], the draw [3.40]

Colchester haven't played since the 11th December, and that was an instantly forgettable 0-0 draw against lowly Yeovil. U's boss John Ward simply said: "It wasn't good enough."

The frustrations for the Essex side seem to be they can't quite find their rhythm from earlier in the season when they were flying. Colchester play good football, and have a lovely ball player called David Perkins in the middle of the park. Perkins, along with Ian Henderson (the creator) are both key to their play, and when on song are a match for any team in the division.

Both teams should line up 4-4-2, with the hosts more adaptable. Charlton played in a tough encounter at the league leaders Brighton on Wednesday night, and will have a definite edge again in that sense over their opponents. Veteran defender Christian Dailly has recently returned from suspension, whilst the invention comes from Johnnie Jackson and the fast winger Dean Wagstaff.

I don't see lots of goals in the match, and Charlton midfielder Jose Semedo might just sit in front of his back four to cut out the supply lines. The Addicks might be happy to allow Colchester a fair amount of possession to bring into play the unders.

Suggested bets:

Back the draw [3.40]
Back under 2.5 goals @ [2.00]

Southampton [1.55] v Exeter City [7.00], the draw [4.40]

Southampton thumped fancied Huddersfield this week, with a sensational 4-1 victory to put themselves firmly in the promotion picture. Manager Nigel Adkins said afterwards: "It's our intention to win the league, it's as simple as that." If only it were that simple.

The Saints have actually lost two of their last five, and despite the entertainment provided from the Huddersfield game, they weren't quite bomb-proof early on, and looked fairly shaky at times. Southampton need to press on and build on this, something maybe they haven't done enough of this season.

Exeter are one of the most enigmatic teams in League One, capable of brilliance on their day with some lovely free-flowing football. Manager Paul Tisdale opts for wing-backs, although he might not be so open with the approach
against the might of Southampton's wingers - in particular 17-year-old Alex Chamberlain who is a reported transfer target of Liverpool. He is lightening fast with wonderful feet.

Tisdale has a play-off team, but they have not kicked on when presented with the chance of pushing into the 'red zone'. Exeter blitzed Sheffield Wednesday in their last outing 5-1 with a midfield that ran the show. If they can get hold of this game early, it might be worth taking a chance at a huge price.

Suggested bets:

Back Exeter to win @ [7.00]
Back over 2.5 goals @ [1.94]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: