The French Connection: Fingers crossed for this weekend's treble

The French Connection / Andrew French / 23 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

This young Charlton fan may be too young to gamble, but it won't stop him hoping his side win this week and help Andrew French land his treble

Back Barnsley @ 2.49; Back Charlton @ 2.23; Back Port Vale @ 1.9; The Treble pays approximately 10.54

Ignore the Premier League and pick one side from each of the remaining English professional leagues, put them in a multiple, sit back and hope for the best. Andrew French offers three teams for another weekend treble.

Leg 1: Barnsley at [2.49] to beat Bristol City

Only a last-minute goal denied Barnsley a point at in-form Nottingham Forest in
midweek, but I believe the Tykes can bounce back from that disappointment by beating Bristol City at Oakwell this weekend. Mark Robins has clearly had an effect since taking over as manager, and that heartbreaking reverse on Tuesday ended a run of three straight wins. The Tykes have won their last three at home, including beating Premier League Burnley and title-chasing West Brom.

City are none to clever on the road - they have yet to win in six attempts and it is more than five hours since they scored an away goal. Therefore, kick-off your treble by backing Barnsley at [2.49].

Leg 2: Charlton at [2.23] to beat Gillingham

There's no love lost between Gillingham and Charlton, so expect a quite feisty encounter in League One. However, I think Charlton's added class will shine through. The Addicks were generally woeful as they sunk out of the Championship last season, but it's been a different story this term with only unbeaten Leeds keeping them off the top of the table. The London club had been struggling to find the net but last weekend's 2-1 win over Huddersfield ended a run of three league games without a goal.

This could be the perfect time to be visiting Gillingham as they have slipped down the table due to a run of just one win in six games - and that was against lowly Wycombe. What's more, the Gills have shipped 13 goals in that half-dozen games. Therefore, make Charlton the second leg at [2.23].

Leg 3: Port Vale at [1.9] to beat Cheltenham

It can't be much fun following Cheltenham at the moment. The League Two side have not won in six games and have conceded 14 goals in the process. Eight of those have come in their last two away games as they were trounced at Aldershot (4-1) and Accrington (4-0). So, a trip to face a far more in-form Port Vale does not offer much hope, especially as the Valiants have now won three on the spin in all competitions.

Mickey Adams' side are overdue a home win having drawn two and lost the other of their last three at Vale Park, but back-to-back away wins show they are in the sort of shape that should enable them to account for Cheltenham. At [1.9], make Port Vale the last leg of your treble.

*The Treble pays around 10.54