League One Betting Preview: Goals and incidents galore for Yorkshire derby

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 12 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Alan Dudman picks from the plusher reaches of League One and anticipates an incident packed match in Yorkshire as rock solid Huddersfiled try to contain a certain class act. Best Bet: Back Under 2.5 goals Walsall v Colchester.

After a weekend in the fair city of Dublin, lack of Zs and too much alcohol has left me rather washed out... However, I plan to get back on track with a few winning bets this weekend.

And I will need to... the pound against the euro is weaker than Mr Muscle!

Following last Saturday's big freeze, it will be prudent to look at games
with the best equipped stadiums, and I'm afraid I have only found two-and-a-half (sorry Walsall).

Leicester City [1.40] v Swindon [8.20]

This is most certainly the safe option in terms of the weather, and indeed the home side's quality. And having tried to interview a man in Dublin who described himself as 'a raving lunatic', it seems that the safe option isn't such a bad one!

I tipped up Leicester a couple of weeks ago at [1.60] - which was hardly balls out of the fridge stuff, but I drew the comparison with their title price at the time of around about [1.40], which certainly represented value.

This weekend isn't quite the same - as the price is getting skinnier and skinnier - with their League winning odds now at around [1.23]. And the more I look at the figures, I just cannot get involved for the outright on Saturday. I may ask for [1.60] - I wouldn't think for one minute I would get it.

Swindon are a funny side to me, they can be capable of a result and then they put in a shocker. Danny Wilson has his work cut out, but they do have the brilliant Simon Cox up front. His goal against Walsall recently was one of the best I have seen for a long time. He is a threat, and Swindon don't have many.

The Foxes have been held 0-0 at home their last two games, with not much value knocking about in this, I will throw a couple of quid at that market.

Recommendations: Back 0-0

Huddersfield Town [2.70] v Leeds United [2.64]

A real proper Yorkshire derby to look forward to here, so maybe we can expect goals, sending-offs and plenty of incidents.

I watched Leeds closely against Millwall on Monday, and wasn't massively convinced, but then I haven't been massively convinced for a long time. However, it seems as though Simon Grayson is definitely improving the Whites.

Defensively they are much more solid and organised (three clean sheets in their last four), although Rui Marques continues to give me the heebie jeebies.

Leeds have a class act in Jermaine Beckford. Twenty-three goals and counting, his double against Millwall demonstrated that he should be playing at a higher level. A real potent threat, with a killer finish and tons of pace. A possible three match ban from the FA would be most unwelcome in Yorkshire - well for Leeds anyway.

Huddersfield are decent enough, and are rock solid at home under Lee Clark. A push for the play-offs is still on the cards, whilst they welcome back the excellent left-winger Gary Roberts from a three-match ban. The Terriers are also looking for a third successive victory over their opponents - although those sort of stats do nothing for me.

Recommendations:
Back the draw @ [3.40];
Back over 2.5 goals;
Back 2-2 correct score.

Walsall [2.46] v Colchester [2.84]

Walsall are much more solid, fitter and stronger under new boss Chris Hutchings. They've drawn their last two and are going the right way.

Colchester's home defeat against Tranmere on Tuesday was
a big shock, but Paul Lambert had just been crowned Manager of the Month. That curse is still very much alive!

An improving, organised side, against one that travels really well and are equally tight.

Recommendations:
Back 0-0
Back under 2.5 goals