League Two Betting: Watch the goals go in at Aldershot v Dagenham & Redbridge

English Football League / Ian Lamont / 27 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Christmas is almost over but with the New Year just round the corner, it's as good a time as any to start making a few quid, starting with backing over 2.5 goals as Aldershot host Dagenham & Redbridge. Ian Lamont tells us why.

It's the weekend before Christmas and New Year, so most are still in a jolly mood and want entertainment. So the fixture compiler who came up with Aldershot Town at home to Dagenham & Redbridge deserves an extra glass of port - the best white variety from southern Portugal, no less.

But anyone who fancies they can pick the home, draw or away win outcome still has a touch of festive madness about them. The way to play this one is to place the spare cash you saved by going to Woolworths on the "over" section of the 2.5 goals market at [1.93]. In fact, so confident am I that there will be goals, this being the season of over-indulgence I shall be laying the double empty pint glass - the 0-0 draw - at [14.0].

Both sides have scored in all but two league games this season. The Daggers failed to stab Darlington's net and somehow contrived a 0-0 home draw with Accrington. Shrewsbury in August and Morecambe, both away, have been the Shots' two blanks. Aldershot, meanwhile, are one of four sides in League Two without a 0-0 draw this season.

The goal difference column bears out the analysis that both teams work on the premise of "it doesn't matter how many the opposition score, we'll score more". The most common scoreline at the EBB Stadium in Aldershot's 11 unbeaten home games is 2-1. Meanwhile visiting boss John Still must be wondering how the Daggers have the division's joint second-highest "goals for" total away from home yet have lost six out of 11 on their travels. Not quite as prolific on the road as their 24 scored at home, they have netted 17 away - but conceded 16. Ben Strevens (nine goals in total), Paul Benson (13) and Sam Saunders (7) have all scored four away, demonstrating a team effort.

Elsewhere, Chester will fancy picking up at least one point from a trip to one-time landlords Macclesfield after a patient display at home to Accrington on Boxing Day earned Mark Wright's side a second win to add to two draws from five games.

There are still a few holes defensively in Chester's midfield, but Ritchie Partridge has licence to roam like a butterfly in front of the opposition's backline as he tries to create chances for Ryan Lowe. Chairman Stephen Vaughan vows Lowe won't go in January, despite two League One clubs hovering. Kevin Ellison - in a withdrawn role off Lowe - does much of the donkeywork and is a fair player, but it is obvious Lowe has more quality and that Chester would struggle without his goals.

This is the chance to catch distracted Macclesfield in a slump. They even scored first at Christie Park on Boxing Day before losing 4-1 to Morecambe - conceding four for the second game running. It seems the Silkmen have a case of the pre-Cup jitters, with the big tie against Everton next weekend. Chester are too big at [3.35], but Macclesfield are a certain lay at [2.3].

I was pulled rather like a giant magnet to a draw at St James's Park, where Exeter host Brentford, even before an analysis of those fickle little things called statistics.

Brentford could easily get automatic promotion this season. Winning 2-0 against Bournemouth without striker Nathan Elder shows their strength in depth. They have lost just three league games this season - the last time at the start of November. With only 15 goals conceded, their record defensively is second only to Wycombe's and the scoring record of one defender isn't bad either - Marcus Bean netting two to make it five for the season. Sam Wood, plucked from non-league Bromley in the summer, is making Paul Scott's team tick going forward. Ben Hamer, on loan from Reading, is back, back after being sent off in the FA Cup at Barrow, leads a confident-looking back five.

Exeter showed the dogged side of a good footballing team that has been a hallmark of Paul Tisdale's work at the club to gain a point at Wycombe. The Grecians have the luxury of being able to bring on a quality centre forward as a substitute in the shape of Craig McAllister, who scored twice against Rochdale and who livened up their attack once again at Adams Park. Exeter have a plus three goals record at home and Brentford plus two away. Back the draw at [3.5].

Recommendations:

Over 2.5 goals Aldershot v Dagenham [1.93]
Lay Macclesfield [2.3]
Brentford v Exeter draw [3.5]