The Four by Four column: A quartet of English football selections

Four By Four / Four By Four / 19 August 2010 / Leave a Comment

Cardiff City have pulled off a real coup by landing Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy on a season-long loan

Back Birmingham @ [2.32]; Back Cardiff @ [1.9]; Back Exeter @ [2.24]; Back Gillingham @ [1.75]; The multiple pays approximately 17.2

Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Multiple option.

Birmingham v Blackburn

There's a lot of pressure on Birmingham to prove that last season's fabulous campaign was no fluke, but they'll no doubt be buoyed by coming back from two goals down away to Sunderland last Saturday to grab a share of the spoils. Blackburn meanwhile sprung a minor surprise by beating Everton last weekend, but Sam Allardyce's men were poor on the road last season and have lost five in a row at St Andrews. Brum have failed to make a significant signing in the current transfer window - Matt Derbyshire apart perhaps - but so too have Rovers and that could mean a full strength home side continue their excellent record against the Lancashire outfit.

Mike Norman's selection: Back Birmingham to beat Blackburn at [2.32]

Cardiff v Doncaster

Why is probably what a lot of football fans are asking in relation to Craig Bellamy's loan move to Cardiff - and the letter 'y' has suddenly become so popular among Bluebirds' fans wanting the Welshman's name printed on their shirt that according to Sky Sports, City's club shop ran out of them yesterday. Quite whether I'd be rushing to back Cardiff at [10.0] to win the league when they were [20.0] before Bellamy arrived I'm not so sure, but as someone who watches a lot of Championship football, there is no doubt in my mind that he will undoubtedly make a huge difference. He has toyed with and danced through Premier League defences, and he'll not find anything like the level of resistance now he has stepped down a division.

It must be a great time to be a Cardiff fan - but probably not so for those Donny supporters making the trip on Saturday. They may well feel like the team who used to turn up and play against the Harlem Globetrotters, as this fixture has suddenly become solely about Cardiff and Bellamy. I doubt they would have gone odds-on before all the furore, but even at this shorter price, I have to back the home side.

Andrew French's selection: Back Cardiff to beat Doncaster at [1.9]

Exeter v Bristol Rovers

Exeter's game was postponed last weekend due to the tragic death of Adam Stansfield - who sadly lost his life at the age of 31 to cancer. Exeter face Bristol Rovers this Saturday, in what will be a highly emotional afternoon. The Grecians defended dreadfully against Colchester in their opening game, but scored twice. Although looking slightly disjointed - they genuinely have something in the attacking areas - aided by the silky gifts of playmaker Ryan Hartley. He'll provide the ammo. Rovers were smashed in their first two games (league and cup), and have ditched the 4-3-3 for a more conservative 4-4-2 in the hope of getting back to basics, although I am not a convert.

Alan Dudman's selection: Back Exeter to beat Bristol Rovers at [2.24]

Gillingham v Lincoln

My Sincil Bank spies are downbeat. For all the excellence of Mustapha Carayol, Lincoln are lacking quality and cohesion. Eight new faces have arrived this summer, Celtic striker Ben Hutchinson (on loan) becoming the ninth. The scene is surely perfect for Gillingham to kick-start their season under Andy Hessenthale. Defender Matt Lawrence, who has maintained his fitness training solo since leaving Crystal Palace, fitted right in - thankfully for the Kent side with Barry Fuller absent - against Hereford. Andy Barcham and Adebayo Akinfenwa must justify the manager's assessment they were marvellous last week by winning this game.

Ian Lamont's selection: Back Gillingham to beat Lincoln at [1.75]

*The multiple pays approximately 17.2