The French Connection: Stick with the form teams this weekend

The French Connection / Andrew French / 26 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Jim Gannon has announced he won’t be managing Peterborough next season so a vacancy exists at this League One-destined side

Back Bristol City @ [2.6]]; Back Swindon @ [2.34]; Back Northampton @ [2.34]; The Treble pays approximately 14.2

All three of Bristol City, Swindon and Northampton have been in decent form of late, and our man Andrew French reckons they'll continue on their winning ways and land his weekend treble suggestion.

Leg 1: Bristol City @ [2.6] to beat Peterborough

When you're a manager that has just lost your job, it must be hard to enjoy watching your former side go out and draw with the runaway league leaders and then score five in the next game. Bristol City have reacted positively to the departure of Gary Johnson and those two results have left them nicely tucked away in mid-table, and doubtless boosted the confidence of the team. I think this new lease of life could be enough to carry them to another victory this weekend, especially as they visit virtually relegated Peterborough.

With the news that current manager Jim Gannon will not be staying beyond the end of the season, Posh fans may well be making plans for the drop back down to League One - particularly as they are 12 points adrift of safety. Three consecutive defeats has just about ended any lingering revival hopes, and the midweek 4-0 drubbing at fellow strugglers Scunthorpe perhaps shows the current state of affairs. At [2.6], make Bristol City the first leg of the treble.

Leg 2: Swindon @ [2.34] to beat Hartlepool

In League One, Hartlepool have lost three of their last five games and their only win during that spell was against woefully out-of-form Southend. They have conceded an average of two goals per game since the turn of the year and that makes them vulnerable to a team that is upwardly mobile, such as Swindon. The Robins look booked for the play-offs but could still have a chance of sneaking one of the automatic promotion places. They followed up a pair of away wins with a draw against leaders Norwich last weekend. Therefore, I'm taking Swindon to win this one at [2.34].

Leg 3: Northampton @ [2.34] to beat Lincoln

The form team in League Two is Northampton: five consecutive wins and 11 goals in the process. Away from home they have won six of their last seven, and I think that makes them a good bet to take three points at Lincoln this weekend. The Imps may be on a five-game unbeaten run but three of those have been at home - and they haven't managed to keep a clean sheet during that sequence. At [2.34], I'm including Northampton.

The Treble pays approximately 14.2