League One Football Tips: Tractor Boys to take care of business against Shrewsbury

Stick with Posh to bounce back after Crewe shocker

Peterborough United v Blackpool
Saturday November 21st, kick-off 15:00

Peterborough can be the great entertainers, but unfortunately they can also be the great chokers. And that was the case after tipping them last weekend as they were soundly beaten by Crewe - a team who had lost four of their previous five matches. It's why League One often throws up great value, as outsiders beat favourites with alarming regularity.

It might be the reason that will prevent them from going to win the title as games like that (versus Crewe), they should be winning. Although you're probably wondering why an earth I am going in again on the hosts. The reason is they are still a good price at a tick under even money at 1.981/1, and whilst Blackpool have won their last two, those victories were against Wigan and Burton.

Also, Posh are capable of throwing in a stinker now and then. On two occasions they have previously suffered a league defeat this term, they have bounced back with a victory.

Against Crewe, they were miles off the pace according to manager Darren Ferguson and he wasn't helped by one or two players having complete shockers. I am hoping his fiery words will draw a response.

Ferguson's men still have plenty of credit in the bank, though. They remain top with 25 points and have won four of their five home matches this season with the joint-best record of goals scored (14 - equal with Plymouth). In fact, they've scored in every match thus far with a sequence of 23225, and I won't be in a rush to back Blackpool keeping a clean sheet. With the home side's knack of scoring, they should be value for a couple of goals if you are looking to play in the Asian Handicap market.

Blackpool have conceded early in three of their away matches this term, so banking on Posh getting one in the first half, we can explore the SAME GAME MULTI on the SPORTSBOOK by combining Posh for First Goal and First Half Over 0.5 Goals - the double pays a decent 2.12.

KEY OPTA STAT: Blackpool are looking to win three consecutive league games for the first time since August 2019.

Dons look good enough for a point at Spotland

League One often throws up a clash of styles, and this pair with their diametrically opposite gameplans throw up an interesting market. Rochdale's price of 2.68/5 is one of a side the layers aren't completely sure about, as you'd often expect a decent favourite in this division to be about 2.111/10. And then we have the Dons, who trade at 2.915/8 and that's probably respecting their solid away record this season with just one defeat on the road. In fact, 64% of their points have come away from Plough Lane (it was rather good typing that) so there's an argument to say the price is reasonable.

Glyn Hodges has his team set up in a particular way; as they are direct and spoil, but one aspect that isn't lost on me is their ability to defend their own box. Indeed, against more sexier passing teams (Burton and MK Dons), they've earned a pair of 1-1 draws in their last two away matches. Saturday is likely to be a similar outcome as Rochdale are a creative team that play on the floor, but they can overdo it.

The Under 2.5 priced up at 1.8910/11 very early makes a lot of appeal, although I am not sure how long that will last up until Saturday. With Wimbledon's five of six hitting the Under target, we should play that with a bit of confidence. More daring explorers might want to check out the Correct Score 1-1, or combine that with Under 2.5 on the SAME GAME MULTI on the SPORTSBOOK.

I am sticking in that particular area rather than twisting, and I like the idea of the Double Chance with Wimbledon (1/2) and Under 2.5 Goals (17/20) on the SAME GAME MULTI bet. Wimbledon have conceded just five in six on the road, whilst Rochdale have drawn three at Spotland.

KEY OPTA STAT: AFC Wimbledon are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings with Rochdale - their longest run without defeat against any opponent in the Football League.

Tractor Boys can focus on league with no cup distractions

Ipswich are one of the League One clubs that are covered superbly by the local press, and a few things piqued my interest this week. One was the fact Ipswich are over-performing on their expected goals model, secondly, Town's goalkeeping coach Jimmy Walker called the division bonkers and very average.

And to the third article in the EADT; where Karl Fuller's excellent piece about Ipswich's shocking record in the cup competitions was startling. Perhaps we're too late to the party for our bets, but it's noted for next season. Laying fingers at the ready. Well, in 10 months anyway.

Fuller explained that from the last 19 FA Cup ties played, Town would be bottom in 92nd place. Add to that the rather insipid efforts in this year's EFL Trophy group, it means Ipswich have no excuses in terms of distractions to the end game. Promotion.

I also liked the stat that Russell Osman played in all 66 games of the magical 1980/81 season. And that figure doesn't even include his outing at centre-back for the Allies in Escape To Victory.

Onto this Saturday, and Shrewsbury's new style of playing on the floor hasn't worked in terms of results and they've scored just three times on the road all season. Matching up against Ipswich's record of not conceding a single goal in five games at Portman Road, this really would be a surprising reverse.

Granted, Paul Lambert's team were lucky against Crewe, and there's certainly a feeling they aren't playing great, but Shrewsbury have lost eight of their last nine fixtures against Town scoring just three, and taking the 1.9310/11 on a home win is fair enough.

Banking on another home shutout, the BTTS bet 'No' on the Sportsbook can be taken at 17/20.

KEY OPTA STAT: Shrewsbury have won just one of their last 12 league matches (D5 L6) - winning 1-0 at AFC Wimbledon last month.