English Football League / Alan Dudman / 16 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Alan Dudman on a profitable week's punting, reading Ben Herd's column on this very website, why they call him Bruce Lee and the small matter of keeping his good run going with this week's Division One tips.

I rather enjoyed that picture of Scandanavian pop princess Whigfield last week, and it got
me thinking...perhaps I can throw in random links to any attractive female for future articles?
Surely a photo of Susannah Hoffs (editor's note: we scoured the internet for a pic and there she is, Al, enjoy!) will be better than one of grizzled centre-back Sean Gregan to warm the cockles over the ensuing winter months?

I have a cunning plan Mr B...now how do I work the Bangles in to this week's column?

Whigfield may have been hot last week, but matters on the pitch were scorchio. All three teams that were advised in various back and lays came in, as did the two pieces of advice on the over goals in the live game - how I wish there were more!

Just before I look at this Saturday's games, (and we have some crackers in store) I have been
reading fellow columnist Ben Herd's thoughts on the life of a pro footballer recently....and thoroughly enjoyable it has been too.

Like Ben I enjoy a game or two of Football Manager 2008, but unlike Ben I have failed to kick the habit and recently wasted an entire day on the damn thing. Although Champions League success was achieved with Stevenage, perhaps someone somewhere is trying to tell me I need to get out more.

Mr Herd answered the age old question of 'has he tried to buy himself'?

And It got me thinking as to what my stats would be on the game. Flair 20, work rate 1 would be accurate.

When I played I was probably a combination of Bruce Dyer and Rob Lee....I was known as Bruce Lee.

On to this weekend and we have two top-of-the-table clashes in store with plenty of good opportunities, time for the heavy artillery.

Oldham Athletic [2.72] versus Leicester City [2.82]

Second meets third at Boundary Park this Saturday, and the form of both sides is pretty much impeccable. Oldham beat up Hereford last week 4-0 whilst Leicester surprisingly conceded a couple of goals in their 3-2 win over Huddersfield to make it four victories on the spin.

The Latics have the best attack in the division on paper - registering 15 goals at home
in only five games, whilst Leicester have the best defence in League One, conceding a measly five goals all term.

Something may have to give in the north west, and I have a feeling Leicester will be ultra tight and could be good enough to nick a win.

Oldham have just signed striker Brett Ormerod on a month's loan, and will be further boosted by the return of Sean Gregan from suspension. Highly rated defender Neal Eardley is back from international duty, but boss John Sheridan will be sweating on the fitness of Stefan Stam and Mark Crossley.

Leicester have slipped up only once in the League thus far, and have the strongest squad in the division by miles. They are a side with quality everywhere, but also have the ability to grind out 1-0 wins.

I fancy their defence to master the exciting forward line of Oldham, and predict
a narrow victory for Nigel Pearson's men.

Recommendations: Lay Oldham [2.72]
Back Leicester to win 0-1 [9.2]

Millwall [2.94] versus Leeds United [2.56]

This game could be rather tasty me thinks, and with a big crowd in store I think perhaps we could get a few goals.

Millwall are flying bar one freak loss, and have conceded very few goals at home. Leeds have won five of their last six and have lost only once on their travels all season.

This could come down to the strikers. The Whites have the best in the shape of Jermaine Beckford, who has already hit 13 goals thus far. Millwall would be more interesting if Tresor Kandol was available, but the striker is on loan from the Yorkshire club and therefore is unavailable for the game.

I am still not convinced about Marques and Michalik at the back for Leeds, but their ammunition up front could be key. Boss Gary McAllister will be without veteran Paul Telfer again in defence, whilst Alan Sheehan remains a doubt with a hamstring.

Recommendations: Lay Millwall [2.94]
Back over 2.5 goals [2.00]

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