The French Connection: Treble joy to be had away from international matches

The French Connection / Andrew French / 13 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

New Lincoln City boss Chris Sutton has had a mixed start to his managerial career - will he get another league win against out of form Cheltenham?

Back Walsall @ 1.87; Back Lincoln @ 2.15; Back Crawley @ 2.55; The Treble pays approximately 10.2

We may only be in November, but Andrew French has already had two stunning successful trebles this season including last week's bumper 12.8 payout. Can he make it three before Christmas? You bet he can (no pressure then Andrew).

Leg 1: Walsall at [1.87] to beat Stockport

Fresh from avoiding a cup upset at Stourbridge, Walsall look a good bet to begin this week's treble. Chris Hutchings's side may be mid-table but a couple of wins would lift them in the play-off frame, and their home form is fairly decent: only one defeat, and that was to runaway league leaders Leeds back in August.

Visitors Stockport look set for a fight against relegation, with goalscoring being a particular problem: they have netted only 14 times in 15 league games. County have lost their last three league games and conceded nine goals in the process. Although they thumped non-league Tooting and Mitcham in the FA Cup, a trip to the Bescot is a totally different proposition. Therefore, back Walsall at [1.87].

Leg 2: Lincoln at [2.15] to beat Cheltenham

The honeymoon may be over for Chris Sutton at Lincoln, but I think the Imps can get their new boss back to winning ways when they entertain Cheltenham. Sutton won his first two games after taking over at Sincil Bank, but last weekend's success at Telford in the FA Cup ended a three-game run without a win. Scoring goals was something Sutton excelled at as a player - he badly needs to teach his current charges as Lincoln have scored a meagre 10 league goals this season.

They'll not get many better chances to improve though, as visitors Cheltenham are in a dreadful run of form. Last weekend's cup defeat at Torquay made it six defeats in eight games, and the Robins are now only just outside the drop zone. At [2.15], make Lincoln the second leg of your treble.

Leg 3: Crawley at [2.55] to beat Mansfield

With International fixtures depriving us of any Championship action, I'm dipping down into the Conference for my third selection. Having gone out of the FA Cup a week earlier, Crawley have had a break and so head into the weekend fully refreshed. They have one of the best home records in the division and promotion chasers such as York and Kettering have already perished at the Broadfield Stadium.

Visitors Mansfield were involved in the cup last week and have a replay with Forest Green next week. Therefore, there could be a hint of distraction for the Stags - especially with a very winnable Second Round tie at either Bath or Forest Green awaiting them. They have also lost more away games than the other sides in the top six. So, I suggest backing Crawley at [2.55].

*The Treble pays around 10.2