English Football League / Alan Dudman / 18 November 2010 /

As two in form teams face off at Brisbane Road, Alan Dudman is struggling to split them. Meanwhile, can Gary Johnson's dodgy defence stop Southampton's nippy youngster?

Leyton Orient [2.58] v Bournemouth [2.94], the draw [3.50]

Orient repelled the midweek fightback of Dagenham and Redbridge in the 3-2 FA Cup win, and thumped a below par Bristol Rovers seven days ago. Boss Russell Slade said there was a good side in there somewhere, and the Londoners are one defeat from seven. This is a team that ripped apart Sheffield Wednesday on their travels, yet lost, and the run has coincided with that good show.

Bournemouth kept their first clean sheet in seven last weekend following the 3-0 win over woeful Walsall. Striker Josh McQuoid grabbed his second hat-trick in two games, and picked up his first cap for Northern Ireland on Wednesday night - so he's had few better weeks!

Orient line up 4-4-2, as do the Cherries, yet Bournemouth are the more exciting team that like to get their full-backs as further up the pitch as possible. The south coast club have more pace, but Orient are clicking at the moment and
have a neat winger in the shape of Dean Cox.

Bournemouth score more at home, but tend to be not as gung-ho away. Whilst Orient have hit a goal spree in their last two games, yet are slightly more robust up front. I can see both scoring in the game, and Orient will need midfield driving force Stephen Dawson fit, but it's a hard game to split them.

Recommended bets: Back 1-1 [7.00], 2-2 [15.00]
Back the draw @ [3.50]

Southampton [1.73] v Peterborough United [5.60], the draw [4.00]

Peterborough boss Gary Johnson has insisted he is the man for the job this week, despite two heavy home losses to Brighton (3-0) and Charlton (5-1). Chairman Darragh MacAnthony has also backed his manager, but they need to start addressing problems. Namely conceding goals.

The stats are staggering with Posh. They've let in 33 goals this term already, and have been involved in a monumental 18 games that have gone above the 2.5 goals. Peterborough may find themselves in turmoil, but life is not dull watching
them.

Southampton lost 3-2 at Carlisle on Saturday, but it was a terrific game. At times the Saints were darting and pinging the ball around like they were ballroom dancing - it was great to watch. Manager Nigel Adkins also has one of the best prospects in the league in the shape of 17-year-old Alex Chamberlain who can torture defences with his devillish pace.

Adkins hasn't quite seen his side kick on, and I was intrigued to read his tactics from the Carlisle game with talk of overloading areas, creating one-on-one duels, and getting balls in. However it was their defensive mistakes that cost them at Brunton Park.

The Saints have been ultra tight at the back at home, and it's worth noting what Carlisle boss Greg Abbott said the Saints good enough to win the league.

Recommended bets: Back Southampton to win half/time full/time @ [2.63]
Back Southampton to win 1-0 and 2-0 @ [11.00] and [14.00]

Brighton [1.59] v Bristol Rovers [4.30], the draw [6.60]

Brighton trade as title favourites at the moment with a price of [3.20], and find themselves six points clear at the top. However, it has been a mixed week for Gus Poyet's side. Flying winger Kazenga LuaLua broke his leg in the 3-1 defeat
last Saturday to Hartlepool, and he will be a huge miss. LuaLua was their game changer, and Poyet said replacing him is mission impossible.

The Albion scraped through on penalties in midweek against Woking to progress to the second round of the FA Cup, but are essentially a side that are tough to beat defensively with quality going forward.

Bristol Rovers are inconsistent at the best times, but are in the grips of an injury and suspension crisis. Messrs Carl Regan and James Tunnicliffe are out, whilst their best player Will Hoskins is injured. Brighton have conceded five at home all season and shouldn't lose.

Recommended bet: Back Brighton to win 2-0 and 3-0 @ [9.00] and [11.00]

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