The French Connection: Another weekend treble from the lower leagues

The French Connection / Editor / 20 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

Slowly but surely Wolves are shaking off a miserable run that threatened to de-rail their charge to the Premier League - and I feel they can seize upon Nottingham Forest's slide back into relegation trouble.

The Midlands club are three points clear at the head of the table despite having recently endured a run of just one win in 11 outings. However, three wins in their last four - including back-to-back away successes - has put them back on track.

It's the opposite for Forest who initially pulled clear of trouble under Billy Davies but are currently on a run of two wins in 10. Last weekend's 5-0 drubbing at Burnley was particularly worrying.

Wolves have won more away games than anyone else in the division, so start your treble by backing them at [2.21].

New Leyton Orient manager Geraint Williams has won five of eight games since taking over at Brisbane Road, and I'm making the East London club the second part of my treble.

The O's are still uncomfortably close to the drop zone but great form of recent weeks is clear indication of them making a charge for safety. Three consecutive wins, including last week's away win at play-off chasing Stockport.

Visitors Walsall are a classic example of League One inconsistency: trounced 5-0 by Bristol Rovers last weekend, they responded in midweek by beating Brighton 3-0. However, the Saddlers have only won once away from the Bescot since Christmas.

Therefore, get behind Orient to extend their recent good form by backing them at [2.15].

You have to hand it to Bournemouth and their 31-year-old manager Eddie Howe in League Two. Starting the season with a 17-point deduction might have been enough for other sides to throw in the towel, but the Cherries have managed to overcome that handicap and now sit seven points clear of the relegation zone. Without the points deduction, they would be comfortably in the top half of the table.

The south coast side have won their last three games and their recent home record (five wins and two draws in seven games) makes them a strong choice as the third leg of the treble when they host Notts County.

Five games without a win have seen County slide down the table, and they have not won away from home this year.

The Cherries look ripe for success, so back them at [1.74].