The French Connection: Scunny, Beckford and Sven can bring cheer to all good men

The French Connection / Andrew French / 27 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford is the class act in League One and can lead his club to another victory this weekend

Back Scunthorpe @ 3.0; Back Leeds @ 2.36; Back Notts County @ 2.1; The Treble pays approximately 14.8

It could pay dividends to oppose a trio of south-east clubs this weekend says Andrew French. Scunthorpe, Leeds and Notts County are the clubs trusted to get the better of their more southerly rivals.

Leg 1: Scunthorpe at [3.0] to beat QPR

If Scunthorpe are going to continue to be as dismal away from home as they have been so far, then winning at Glanford Park will be essential if they want to stay up - and I think they can take three points when poor travellers QPR visit this weekend.

Scunny have lost both their Championship away games 4-0, but did manage a gutsy 3-2 home win over Derby on their own turf. Visitors QPR have not won a league game so far, and last season they were dire on the road: just three wins and 14 goals all season. They made hard work of overcoming Accrington Stanley in the Carling Cup in midweek, and I fancy Scunthorpe at [3.0] to leapfrog the London club with a win.

Leg 2: Leeds at [2.36] to beat Colchester

There's no way you can knock the start Colchester have made in League One - anyone who scores seven in an away match at any stage of any season deserves respect. But they were beaten at MK Dons last Saturday, and this weekend's visitors Leeds are another step up in terms of strength and quality.

They have won all four league games and beat Championship side Watford in the Carling Cup in midweek. Striker Jermaine Beckford has carried on his excellent form with four league goals already and, because they look very capable of dominating the division already, I am including United in the treble at [2.36].

Leg 3: Notts County at [2.1] to beat Barnet

The more Notts County farm points and sign players capable of playing at a far higher level than League Two, the less likely it is that we'll be able to back them at anything near even money, regardless of whether they are home or away.

Time will tell if the Sven factor does bring glory for the Magpies, but there won't be many teams at this level that would even get the likes of Sol Campbell to discuss a move, never mind sign a five-year contract. Barnet have made a decent start of their own, but I feel they are running into the County bandwagon when it still has plenty of juice in the tank. At a price around [2.1], make County part of your treble.

*The treble pays around 14.8.