League One Betting Preview: Lions can win ugly

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 29 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Millwall [2.38] v Colchester [3.3] is probably one of the best games this weekend in League One, with two teams bang in-form looking to enhance their promotion credentials."

Hard times for Tranmere, Millwall hit top form and Walsall quality competes with Wycombe's workers. Alan Dudman selects the weekend's best League One bets...

Tranmere Rovers [2.72] v Swindon Town [2.84], the draw [3.46]

Tranmere still patiently wait for a new manager following the sacking of John Barnes earlier in the month, and that wait may continue after the latest round of reports linking Newcastle United number two Colin Calderwood with the role - he looks as though he is staying put in the north east.

Rovers, meanwhile, have tightened up at the back under the caretaker boss Les Parry. Parry is the long-serving physio at Prenton Park and he has somehow eeked out some improvement in their last three games - with a narrow win and two narrow defeats.

Swindon are on the back of two defeats, having been unbeaten in their previous 11. Saturday's 1-0 loss at Norwich highlighted the fact they can compete
with the better teams, but lack a bit of cutting edge - like so many in the division.

Town really need to improve the quality of ball into the front two whilst Tranmere
look as though they would have trouble scoring against five men, let alone 11. Swindon
have impressed me in patches this term and can be taken to see off Tranmere.

Lay Tranmere @ [2.72]
Back under 2.5 goals @ [1.88]
Back Swindon to win 0-1 @ [10.5]

Millwall [2.38] v Colchester United [3.30], the draw [3.50]

Probably one of the best games this weekend in League One, with two teams bang in-
form looking to enhance their promotion credentials.

Millwall are unbeaten at home, and are just beginning to hit top gear following Saturday's 2-1 disposal of Leeds United. They're on a decent run collecting points and goals - scoring 12 in their last four games.

The Lions have always done it in the big games. Tactically, boss Kenny Jackett is clued up in handling the better teams. Their 4-4-2 is based around two strong and physical centre-backs with a hard working midfield closing down the centre of the park. Colchester are effective, but Millwall are the better team. The game could be ugly, but the Lions can win ugly.

Back Millwall to beat Colchester @ [2.38]

Wycombe [2.66] v Walsall [2.99], the draw [3.55]

Wycombe are League One's lowest scorers, but have at least picked up a couple of points since Gary Waddock was named as the new manager at Adams Park. I have been cursing the Chairboys with their last-minute goal antics this season - so it's time to gain revenge.

With injuries in the forward ranks, I can't see how Wycombe can score this weekend. Waddock will be praying Jon-Paul Pittman recovers from a groin injury in time for Saturday.

Wycombe are based on 100 per cent hard work, but Walsall seem to have a tiny bit more quality. They played really well against Colchester last Saturday, and handled all the aerial balls in good style. Boss Chris Hutchings favours two screening midfielders in front of the centre-backs - which doesn't lend to a free-scoring side, but they've been playing well
of late without the results, and deserve a bit of luck come the weekend.

Lay Wycombe @ [2.66]
Back Walsall to beat Wycombe 0-1 @ [11.00]

Weekend bets:

Lay Tranmere @ [2.72] versus Swindon
Back Millwall to beat Colchester @ [2.38]
Lay Wycombe @ [2.66] versus Walsall