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League One Play-Off Betting: Bank on the goals as Southend host Doncaster

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Richard Walker thinks two attack-minded teams can produce an outstanding start to the play-offs

So off we go for what's now the traditional post-season play-off marathon - which seems to last forever given the fact Sky Sports now show every single match live.

That comes to 12 semi-final legs across the three divisions and of course the resultant finals at Wembley near the end of May. Here at Betfair, we'll be taking a closer look at all the semi-final legs individually, trying to pick our way through to showing a profit from games you'll want to have an interest in as you begin the period of denial following the end of the regular campaign.

One key factor to remember is that away goals don't count at all - thank god for that, eh? Normal tactics of trying to win the game apply here; and, frankly, there's few Football League teams who play nancy-boy defensive nonsense anyhow.

First up are two sides in Southend and Doncaster which, once they settled down into the season (and that took United a lot longer than Rovers) never really looked anything other than play-off probables. Indeed, as the season drew to a close, the Essex-based Shrimpers were well in, while Sean O'Driscoll's stylish south Yorkshire side were still harbouring hopes of automatic promotion right till the season finale.

Trouble with the play-offs is they are, genuinely, utterly unpredictable. So while I'm happy to wax lyrical about which side I favour, I think it's more pertinent if my suggestions lean towards markets that surround the game in general rather than anything too team-specific.

That said, not to present what's on offer would be negligent: Southend, at home at Roots Hall, are [2.34], the draw's at [3.45] and Donny are a [3.4] shot. It was Rovers' outstanding home form that saw them towards the upper echelons of League One this term so I could understand a base bet of backing the hosts.

The one thing I do reckon on is a few goals. Both sides are attack-minded and like to spray the ball around. O'Driscoll never sets out defensive formations and, equally, Blues boss Steve Tilson will know he surely must be taking a lead up to the Keepmoat Stadium next midweek to have any chance at all of progress. So get involved on Overs in the 2.5 goals match-up at [2.28]. It's [1.72] to back if you disagree. And in fact I'd go further and take the [3.7] on offer about Over 3.5 goals in that market - this game's a cracker waiting to happen, I think.

Nick Bailey headlines my player selections. He's the Southend wide or central midfielder they signed from Barnet last summer. Not noted previously for goal-getting, it's just clicked for him in Essex this term and - just above a rake of their players on seven, eight and nine goals - he's the club's leading scorer so avail of roughly [6.4] to back him To Score (at any time). Braver folk might be tempted by the [15.0] against him getting the first of the night.

As for Rovers, who've had so many big games over recent years that some of their more experienced players must be used to the pressure by now. Have a look at the odds of Paul Heffernan in either of the scoring markets, he's got an eye for goal - particularly on the big occasion.

Regardless of my apparent indecision about the likely winners, make the Half-Time/Full-Time market a destination of yours pre-match. Draw/Draw - at [5.3] - looks worth an interest, while the [5.6] about Draw/Southend can also be included for, if there is to be a winner, United's need to travel in front might just tip the scales of what'll be an excellent footballing treat to kick off play-offs month.