League One Betting: Black Cats could be vulnerable in top TV clash

Addicks can take advantage of Accy's lack of game-time

Charlton Athletic v Accrington Stanley
Friday 8th January, kick-off 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event

These are two teams I rarely get involved with, and with the prices at 2.56/4 for the hosts and 3.1511/5 for Accrington, there is a fair bit of uncertainty.

Sixth-placed Charlton are not in great form with just two victories in their last nine matches, and are not exactly consistent. They recently beat AFC Wimbledon 5-2 at home, but then lost to MK Dons 0-1.

A recent defeat against Hull (2-0) highlighted how they can dominate the ball but didn't really create many chances. The sending off of Darren Pratley didn't help either.

But asking to take 3.1511/5 on Accrington is difficult as they simply aren't playing enough football. Their last game was on the 19th December which was a 0-0 against Blackpool - and Accy are decent at keeping clean sheets with seven in their last 10.

Even with their 14 goals netted away, the rustiness could be a problem and I am backing the Addicks here.

KEY OPTA STAT: Accrington Stanley are looking to record back-to-back away league wins in London for the first time since 2015.

Imps to show their class as league leaders

Lincoln City v Peterborough United
Saturday 9th January, kick-off 12:30
Live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event

This is arguably the best game of the weekend on Sky, and it's a good chance to assess how far the league leaders Lincoln have come with their counter-attacking game.

Top on 41 points, Michael Appleton's Imps have won their last three - and that included a big 5-1 win against Burton - a game which included another fast start. They've scored in the first 10 minutes of matches in their last three.

Tactically, Lincoln are one of the sharpest in the division, and they tend to make good decisions. So I cannot see an awful lot wrong with their price of 2.47/5.

Peterborough have some excellent young players, but we've got a similar scenario to Accrington here, as the Posh haven't had a game since December 15th due to positive Covid tests. This is not an ideal game to play if you are short of minutes.

Darren Ferguson's side are a bit all-or-nothing on the road with four wins and five losses.

KEY OPTA STAT: Lincoln have won each of their last three league games, scoring 11 goals. As many as their previous 13 in the competition.

Unconvincing Ipswich narrowly get the nod

Ipswich Town v Swindon Town
Saturday 9th December, kick-off 17:30
Live on Sky Sports Football

Ipswich are always going to be the big draw in the division, but there was an excellent article recently in the Guardian by Nick Ames, describing them as a ghost club. And it's right, but in terms of betting, they will always be a little shorter than they should be.

A price of 1.9620/21 however is probably more to do with the fact Swindon are the opponents, and they are losing a lot of games. So it actually might not be as bad value as you think.

John Sheridan has endured a torrid start as manager; losing seven of his first 11 games. Their latest was a 1-4 loss to the MK Dons, and Sheridan was quoted as saying this week he just hopes they can stay up.

Both teams have had to deal with injuries, so Ipswich will be pleased with the break as they are another side that haven't featured since the 15th December.

The hosts have conceded just nine at home, and that's a problem if you are interested in backing the visitors at 4.131/10. I quite like the idea of the Ipswich 1-0, as I don't think it will be a classic. Whilst the Under 2.5 Goals bet of 2.0421/20 might also appeal.

KEY OPTA STAT: Ipswich have won each of their last eight league games against Swindon.

Tigers can grab the points on Wearside

Sunderland v Hull City
Saturday 9th January, kick-off 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football

The hastily arranged Boxing Day fixture between these two is something of an unexpected bonus, but you all know my luck with Hull this season. It is appalling. Once again I got the Tigers wrong last time, as I opposed them with Charlton, only for them to snap a three game losing streak to win comfortably.

At 3.259/4 it's a decent price as Sunderland have drawn their last two 1-1 and 0-0, although the AFC Wimbledon match was a farce with the Black Cats minus eight first-teamers.

Hull themselves were without five men, so there's a feeling that preparations are all over the place for this.

The Under 2.5 Goals was my first thought, but it's far too short at 1.748/11, so the Tigers are a little overpriced considering they have won six on the road and scored 21.