League One Betting Preview: Leeds can outclass Hartlepool

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 04 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

"At even money, Brentford are easily my best bet of the weekend. I make them a [1.70] chance against a Gillingham side who have been poor on their travels all term."

They beat Manchester United but lost to Exeter - can Leeds get their league form back on track this weekend? Meanwhile, will Clark's signings keep up the Terrier's impressive home record? Alan Dudman selects the best bets.

Hartlepool United [5.00] v Leeds United [1.80], the draw [3.80]

With Leeds now out of the FA Cup, boss Simon Grayson has stressed the need for the Yorkshire outfit to get back on track after a couple of stuttering performances in the League. With recent losses to Exeter and Swindon - was this really the same team that beat Manchester United at Old Trafford? Did we see the same 11 that took Spurs to a replay in two brilliant games? Now is the time to start winning again.

Grayson got his team spot-on during those epic clashes with the big boys, and I admired their bravery in wanting the ball, passing the ball and attacking at will. It's the sort of side that ought to tear apart Hartlepool - but it doesn't quite work like that.

I was pleased to see their recent 2-0 home win against Colchester last Saturday. Firstl,y it addressed some horrible form in January. Secondly, Beckford got back scoring in the league, and thirdly - it was a chance to see a couple of excellent loan signings who had crept under the radar....Gary McSheffrey and Shane Lowry.

Hartlepool have been a tricky side to read all season, and recently they have been playing well without getting a result. The latest instalment of their luckless run was last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Norwich, where they played neat and attractive football, yet still lost.

Pools boss Chris Turner said this week: "We have to have a go at them and get in their faces". It's a tactic I am not a huge fan of, and I suspect that Leeds will have too much class for their opponents. McSheffrey offers lots of quality on the left-hand side and he could be a huge influence on this game with his creativeness from the channels.

Suggested bets:
Back Leeds to win @ [1.80]
Back Leeds to win 0-1 [7.8] and 0-2 [9.00]

Huddersfield Town [1.66] v Carlisle United [6.20], the draw [4.10]

How pleased must Lee Clark have been after last weekend's 1-0 win at Yeovil? Elated I would imagine, as Huddersfield finally gained a victory on their travels by winning ugly, gritty and determined with a clean sheet.

The Terriers are imperious at home, they've got the second best record behind the mighty Norwich, and are so potent at the Galpharm that I predict a few goals here. I was impressed with Clark's transfer dealings in the loan market. Nathan Ecclestone got the winner on Saturday - and he's on loan from Liverpool.

Elsewhere, I like the two centre-backs brought in, Neal Trotman and Krystian Pearce. Both extremely strong, quick and powerful - they're just what Huddersfield needed.

Carlisle are a very inconsistent mid-table team. Their 4-3 win at MK Dons shows they can do it; they just can't do it all the time. Greg Abbott's side were in action on Tuesday night against Colchester and got absolutely bombarded with route one 'football'. At least Clark likes to pass, and this will be a different sort of test defensively, but Huddersfield should have more than enough to preserve their unbeaten record in Yorkshire.

Suggested bets:

Back Huddersfield to win @ [1.66]
Back Hudersfield to win 2-1 @ [11.00], 2-0 [12.00]

Brentford [2.00] v Gillingham [4.40], the draw [3.55]

Brentford at even money are easily my best bet of the weekend. I make them a [1.70] chance against a Gillingham side who have been poor on their travels all term. The Bees were good in the loan market again - extending the stay of brilliant Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, and adding Bristol City striker John Akinde to their ranks recently. The latter is exactly what they've been crying out for up front - a strong, quick, athletic forward.

Brentford are well drilled and organised at the back, and look great value in keeping a clean sheet for a couple of digs on correct scores.

Suggested bets:
Back Brentford to win @ [2.00]
Back Brentford win 2-0 [10.00] and 1-0 [8.50]