League One Betting Preview: Tin tack man on toast?

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 17 September 2009 / Leave a Comment

Weekend best bets:

Back Swindon to beat Walsall 0-1 @ [8.70];
Back Exeter @ [2.18] to beat Tranmere ;
Back Hartlepool to beat Colchester @ [4.60]

Alan Dudman reckons the dapper Grecians can pile on the misery for John Barnes this weekend but can Aidy Boothroyd defy the doubters at Colchester?

Last week's results were hardly of the magnetic quality, with both Leeds and
Charlton losing their unbeaten records.

The impact on the market however has been
slightly more revealing with Leeds even more solid as clear favourites to win League One at [2.24]. Charlton - who perhaps have been the more impressive - can be backed at [5.30].

Elsewhere, the alarming slump in Millwall's form continues, and they have about as many friends as Robinson Crusoe at the moment - they've gone out to [110.00] - having been matched at a low of [12.50]. And the way my hair is going at the moment, Crusoe will be having a run for his money.

But that's enough of such follicled nonsense...

Exeter City [2.18] v Tranmere Rovers [3.65], the draw [3.40]

Grecians boss Paul Tisdale wears a cravat, and his side sit just two places above Tranmere going into this weekend. They put in a much improved display at Orient last Saturday, after a poor first-half, they got going to come from a goal down to eek a draw out. It was a good response, as they had lost their previous two games - some good fighting qualities there.

And where do we start with Tranmere?

They've lost six, scored two, and they conceded three against a Walsall side that
hadn't scored in 371 minutes. They were a bit better last Saturday, but away from home they
have been hopeless. Barnes is prime 'tin tack' material at the moment.

Whatever you read about the form, the key point for a punter's armoury is what manager John
Barnes said this week. "Players are not getting on the ball, and midfielders need to be braver."
When a midfield becomes scared and too frightened of making mistakes, there is a good chance
you have got them cooked on toast.

Recommendations: Back Exeter @ [2.18] to win
Back Exeter to win 1-0 @ [7.50]

Colchester [1.87] v Hartlepool [4.60]

Colchester have a new manager (Aidy Boothroyd), but are winless in five. Hartlepool meanwhile
are a different side on their travels and are steadily improving.

I am intrigued about the move of Boothroyd, as no club in a higher division were prepared to take
another punt on him. He has always been a bit one-dimensional with his teams, and I'm
interested to see the Col U approach under his guidance.

Pool played really well at Oldham two weeks ago, and the squad composed of many new signings are gelling and looking solid at the back. However, at the prices, Hartlepool look good value.

Recommendations: Back Hartlepool to beat Colchester @ [4.60]

Walsall [2.52] v Swindon Town [3.45]

Good match this one.

Walsall ended their goal drought last weekend (see Tranmere), and have started to build
on this defensive foundation that has been set over the past four games. I would be slightly
worried that after the 'darkness came the dawn' in the shape of a glut of goals, and I need
to see them doing it again in order to be convinced.

Meanwhile, a very young Swindon side are proving to be quite a sleek outfit. Manager Danny Wilson is doing a good job and the squad is coping well with injuries. Equally effective at home or away, they could nick this 1-0, although a sensible play could be the under 2.5 goals.

Recommendations: Back Swindon @ [3.45]
Back under 2.5 goals @ [1.80]
Back Swindon to win 0-1 @ [8.70]