The Four by Four column: A quartet of English football selections
Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Multiple option.
Stoke v Man City
Stoke have been in excellent form in recent weeks, recording three wins on the spin and scoring eight goals in the process. The good news then, is that the odds about a Man City victory are higher than what they might have been had Stoke been in poor form. City were quite brilliant at times away to Fulham last week and I'm of the opinion that Roberto Mancini's men prefer to play away from the pressures that the City of Manchester Stadium brings at present. They've won three of their last four away games, scoring 10 goals in the process, and I can see their defensive mentality frustrating the home side to a point where Stoke will be hit on the break a few times at least.
Mike Norman's selection: Back Man City to beat Stoke at [2.24]
Crystal Palace v Doncaster
Doncaster have crept almost unnoticed to the edge of the play-off places - and because they are a side whose name is so synonymous with the lower divisions, it's easy to assume they're punching above their weight and doing well just to stay in the division. But Sean O'Driscoll has assembled a squad that plays some great football and sticks to its beliefs - and they are building a nice little run which has seen them go four games without defeat, including a fine away win at Portsmouth. Palace have won their last couple at home but they struggle for consistency and also ship too many goals: they've let in 35 already at an average of almost two a game.
Andrew French's selection: Back Doncaster to beat Crystal Palace at [2.64]
Hartlepool v Yeovil (FA Cup second round)
Hartlepool's defence is becoming the meanest in the business. Well not quite - but mean in this division and on their travels - they've only conceded six times away all season, which is on a par with league leaders Brighton. However Mick Wadsworth's side haven't quite managed to replicate that miserly back line in the north east, and have conceded 18 at home. Generally 'Pools have been more effective away from the Victoria Ground, but there's a good side in there waiting to get out. Two defeats in eight is good form heading into Saturday's FA Cup second round.
Hartlepool usually play a lone man in a 4-5-1 on the road, so Wadsworth might go more attacking. However, the lone man works, and it should work against Yeovil. The Glovers are getting desperate, and their last away win was two months ago in the league. Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton is looking short on defenders, and even shorter on goalscorers. The West Country men are just not good enough, and a long trip to the north east is not the easiest when on a wretched run.
Alan Dudman's selection: Back Hartlepool to beat Yeovil at [2.1]
Torquay v Wallsall (FA Cup second round)
Paul Buckle's side seem to have re-found their mojo. They led League Two after a few weeks, only to go nine games without a win thereafter. They cemented a seven-game unbeaten run with victory at Wycombe in midweek and made it clear last weekend they were keeping little striker Elliot Benyon, who had been sought by higher clubs. That is great news, because it cannot be easy forging a team on one of England's geographical extremities. Benyon is top scorer with 10 goals. If suitors Swindon and Dagenham are serious about trying to prize Benyon away, they will want him to put on a good show against League One's bottom club who have one of the division's worst away records. With Chris Zebroski supplying, the Gulls can cause an upset, even at a not huge [2.14].
Ian Lamont's selection: Back Torquay to beat Walsall at [2.12]
Recommended Multiple
Back Man City @ [2.24]; Back Doncaster @ [2.64]; Back Hartlepool @ [2.1]; Back Torquay @ [2.12]; The multiple pays approximately [26.0]
Published: 26 Nov 2010
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