League One Betting: Duo to serve up goals at Deepdale

Alan Dudman
23 April 2015

Hopefully Swindon boss Mark Cooper's side won't be short on goals

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With just two games remaining in League One, Swindon look overpriced this weekend, and Crawley can take a step closer to securing their survival according to Alan Dudman...

"The fact that we have Beckford, Garner (23 goals) and Swindon's Ben Gladwin on show (who hit two on Tuesday and a hat-trick against Rochdale), really ought to make for some entertainment."

Back both teams to score 'yes' @ 2.01/1

Preston North End 1.774/5 v Swindon Town 5.509/2, the draw 3.90

Swindon could be forgiven for glancing at Preston, thinking; 'that should've been us.' North End are on the verge of automatic promotion with 86 points, whilst Mark Cooper's Robins will have to settle for a place in the play-offs. Not a bad consolation - but for one of the most purest footballing sides - they might have deserved more.

Of course, a snapshot of the market basically views the fact that the hosts will want it a bit more. The MK Dons are breathing down their Lancashire necks (and are flying), which is why the Whites need to win.

However, should Swindon really be priced up as a 5.509/2 shot?

There could also be an argument to put to the committee that with play-off football secure, Town have no pressure and can enjoy themselves. It's understood that star midfielder Massimo Luongo will be rested, but he's been off the boil since his return from the Asian Cup. He's also been linked with Aston Villa.

Preston's veteran forward Jermaine Beckford has started to fire again. I am personally pleased, and Beckford should have been a regular fixture alongside Joe Garner for this campaign, as the former Leeds man has hit nine in his last 13 matches, with two sublime efforts on Tuesday against Notts County.

The fact that we have Beckford, Garner (23 goals) and Swindon's Ben Gladwin on show (who hit two on Tuesday and a hat-trick against Rochdale), really ought to make for some entertainment, plus Swindon can be fairly careless at the back. Gladwin played in a 'number 10' role on Saturday, in a formation that can only be described as a 3-5-1-1, a new one on me.

Using In-Play markets, it's worth noting the hosts have thrown away leads in three of their previous four games. They have also drawn far too many games this season (14), the most out of the top eight. Although they are unbeaten in 17.

Recommended Bets
Back both teams to score 'yes' @ 2.01/1
Lay Preston to win @ 1.774/5

Bradford City 2.01/1 v Barnsley 4.03/1, the draw 3.505/2

There's an elite club at the moment in League One - the 1-1 club - with Bradford and Barnsley fully paid up members. I myself haven't frequented a (night) club in a while as I am far too old, but having been to places such as 'Colonel Bogeys', 'Zenith' , and 'Cheeko's' in my time, I much prefer the sound of the 1-1 these days.

Sorry, I can't even remember if there was apostrophe or not for Colonel's abode. I presume there should have been.

Anyway, these two are rather enjoying the scoreline mentioned. Bradford's last two have finished 1-1, but Barnsley can better that; they have three on the spin from their past three matches. The Yorkshire duo between them have collected one victory from their last 15, and neither has anything to play for this Saturday apart from local pride.

Both in short, have gone completely off the boil.

Off the field there is speculation that Bradford could be taken over, and it's a pity the team that defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup didn't take over in midweek - as they really struggled on Tuesday against Scunthorpe.

Meanwhile Barnsley were excellent for about eight minutes in their latest match - an instantly forgettable 1-1 with Peterborough, and the initial burst of form under Lee Johnson has gone. That's a pity, as I thought they looked a half decent team at Orient.

At least Bradford addressed their shocking performance against Bristol City (losing 0-6), whilst Johnson could be using the game to give several youngsters the chance to impress. It's likely the visitors will go 4-5-1, but both managers will be looking to the summer and rebuilding.

The draw is the obvious starting point, with a chance to back the 1-1 In-Play offering hope of at least making a profit.

Recommended Bets
Back the draw @ 3.505/2
Back 1-1 correct score @ 8.07/1

Peterborough United 1.768/11 v Crawley Town 5.309/2, the draw 3.953/1

Both teams and interim managers face an uncertain couple of months. Posh caretaker Dave Robertson will be wondering if he'll be back for August, as chairman Darragh MacAnthony will have a big decision for the new man at London Road. The case to keep would rest on reviving several players that had disappeared under former boss Darren Ferguson. If he were to go, reasons cited would be the rather tame ending to the campaign - as Posh haven't won in six matches.

Other teams have certainly worked out Robertson's rigid 4-4-2. He went a 4-2-3-1 against Barnsley, but goals (or lack of them) are the overriding factor. And for a club that often has a 20-goal-a-season man in their ranks, that has to be a worry.

I'm not sure the hosts represent the best value call ever at odds-on considering their ropey form. They also have nothing to play for, which is why I'm somewhat staggered to find Crawley at such a big price.

It seems I've developed a mini-obsession with the West Sussex town, and I was absolutely gutted they picked up a 2-0 win on Saturday - having previously put them up in the column for success (only to limply surrender to Walsall).

But we do have the chance to back a team that need to win to ensure their survival, and it's in their own hands. Town boss Dean Saunders might also be looking to secure his own future - and preserving their status could go a long way to doing so.

Crawley scored two set-pieces against Notts County at the weekend, and this could be a critical factor this time around. Anthony Wordsworth's delivery will be of utmost importance. They will almost certainly look to play on the counter, and considering Posh aren't scoring many, it has the potential to make for a low scoring game.

Results went Crawley's way on Tuesday night, hopefully we can get one of theirs to go our way.

Recommended Bets
Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.9010/11
Lay Peterborough to win @ 1.774/5