League Two Previews: Barnet out for revenge over Swindon

English Football League / Ian Lamont / 09 February 2012 / 2

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A delighted Paolo di Canio after his club's recent cup successes

"The cliché would be that Swindon would prefer the points to a cup final place; back fate to intervene and complete the reversal."

After their Johnstone's Paint Trophy exit on Tuesday night Barnet will be desperate to exact revenge over their conquerors Swindon, and they are huge value to do so says Ian Lamont.

Southend v Rotherham, Kick-off, Friday 19:45 GMT, Match Odds: Southend [1.97], Rotherham [4.0], The Draw [3.7]

Two sides desperate for a bit of sustained form meet at Roots Hall. The Millers lost 3-2 at Dagenham last time, a fourth defeat in five after an excellent run. Lewis Grabban, Sam Wood and Alex Revell should be able to find openings. Manager Andy Scott won this division with Brentford, so fans expect better than their mid-table showing. Six points to the play-off spots is not massive as Stevenage showed last season. Arguably, there is no better time to start that run than this match. Paul Sturrock's men lost to Swindon in their last home game and Southend's home record is the worst of the top six. I am inclined to lay them, especially after successfully doing so at Plymouth last week. I thought my bet was dead when they went 2-0 up, but the fact they conceded twice late on indicates a definite malaise.

Lay Southend @ [1.97]

Barnet v Swindon, Kick-off, Saturday: 15:00 GMT, Match Odds: Barnet [4.3], Swindon [1.98], The Draw [3.45]

I can't help but feel revenge will be on the agenda at Underhill. Swindon reached the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final after a second-leg narrow win over Saturday's hosts. Their team might have several changes for this, such is the depth of Paolo Di Canio's squad. However, Barnet will be enraged that they failed to get something out of a miserable season. Izale McLeod's goals look certain to keep the Bees up, but some relief from a campaign that was always destined to end in the bottom seven would have been welcome.

Wembley has now been denied them. Ricky Holmes and Sam Deering had a couple of chances on Tuesday after Swindon outclassed them in the first half. There's a bit of needle, with Barnet's Charlie Taylor sent off. The cliché would be that Swindon would prefer the points to a cup final place. Back fate to intervene and complete the reversal. Feels like a cup upset odds. Barnet are huge value at [4.3].

Back Barnet @ [4.3]

Crawley v Aldershot, Kick-off, Saturday 15:00 GMT, Match Odds: Crawley [1.48], Aldershot [8.0], The Draw [4.4]

I hate recommending any team so odds-on. But Crawley were in formidable mood on Tuesday when they stunned Cheltenham. Sanchez Watt, 20, on loan from Arsenal, earned man of the match in his second game. He scored twice and, since arriving, has opened up play for Tyrone Barnett, ensuring the now 14-goal striker has returned to his best. A curling, sweeping shot from the edge of the box had to be a candidate for goal of the season - in any division. Billy Clarke, signed from Blackpool, did everything but score on his debut.

Aldershot, much-changed and seemingly unsettled, might find themselves effectively trying to build a "pack of cards" house in a wind tunnel. Dean Holdsworth let 11 players exit in January, one after a "frank exchange". Not a happy camp then. Seven new arrivals mean a season now of transition after all that false hope in August. That was based on a good run under a new manager from the turn of the year, in a dead season.

Back Crawley @ [1.48]
Back 3-0 Correct Score @ [12.0]

Dagenham v Northampton, Kick-off, Saturday 15:00 GMT, Match Odds: Dagenham [2.24], Northampton [3.5], The Draw [3.5]

The battle between these strugglers might, for some, be the week's prediction for a dull 0-0 draw. Well, I rather fancy Accrington v Oxford for that. This game surely must feature goals, because teams near the bottom struggle to defend at the best of times, not least when they really must attack, sensing, as they will here, they have a chance of points. Attacking opens up further space, meaning ragged defences. Dagenham's Brian Woodall had a purple patch in front of goal just either side of Christmas, while Jon Nurse, also on five, needs to pitch in. Last time out, against Rotherham, John Still's men came from behind to lead, conceded an equaliser and still won 3-2. That shows desire.

Northampton's form is living up to the other meaning in their nickname - Cobblers. Three straight defeats confirm a line featuring just three draws and a win in a long list of defeats stretching back to October 8.

Back Dagenham @ [2.24]

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Paul Smith | 09 February 2012

Do you out any of your own money on these insane bets???

Southend and Swindon both to lose?? I don't think so
Ben | 09 February 2012

Did you not watch the game on Tuesday?? Barnet could still be playin now and they still wouldn't have scored!