League One Tips: Moore to pile on misery for Big Dunc on Sunday

• Live action on Sky on Sunday with Owls

• Bet Builder double at Fratton Park

• Alan has five bets for League One this weekend

Goals and chances might be rare in MK

MK Dons v Morecambe

Saturday 25th March, kick-off 15:00

The threat of relegation looms large for both sides, with the Dons 1.84/5 in the Relegation market on the Exchange and Morecambe at 1.331/3. This has the makings of a dreadful game. But a poor match doesn't mean 'no bet'.

I am still to be convinced by Mark Jackson at MK, but they've picked up six points from their most recent two games - both 1-0 victories against Cambridge and Accrington.

Morecambe are far from heavy-hitters themselves on the scoring front and have managed just 12 goals on the road all season (and conceded 36). Indeed, their xG figure of 0.85 is one of the worst in the league.

Straight away I looked at the Under 2.5 Goals at 8/11 on the Sportsbook, and that's more than fair. I am usually tempted with the 1.5 price, and that is available at 9/4 on the Sportsbook, as it's hard to see goals at all.

It was vital Morecambe didn't lose at home to Oxford last weekend, and with only two shots on target, manager Derek Adams would have taken the point, although he has been leaving out Cole Stockton.

It's all about fight now and determination, and Adams said in his pre-match press conference that he feels the relegation scrap will go down to the wire. It's eight to go now.

Morecambe won three of their first four league games in 2023, scoring 12 goals. Since then, they've won just one of 11 league games (D4 L6), scoring just six goals and never more than once in a game.

They did score five times in two games in January, both at home, and against the chaotic defences of Bristol Rovers and Burton. But I don't see Adams rubbing the lamp to summon the goalscoring genie for this one, and playing for a Sportsbook Bet Builder here, it's a must to include the Under 2.5 Goals.

MK are in better form, but their home record troubles me with just three wins and 11 losses. Backing the draw in the Bet Builder gives a near 3/1 double as it's difficult to see the visitors gaining three points.

Key Opta Stat: Morecambe have lost each of their last three away games at MK Dons in all competitions, all by a 2-0 scoreline, since a 1-1 draw in May 2008.

Bishop to lead charge for first goalscorer bet

Portsmouth v Port Vale
Saturday 25th March, kick-off 15:00

Portsmouth was the sole bright spot for the column last weekend as Cambridge and Cheltenham suddenly found some scoring form from nowhere. But Pompey have become fairly reliable under John Mousinho, and they look a good price at Evens on the Sportsbook for Saturday.

Colby Bishop bagged both of the goals in a 0-2 success at Bristol Rovers on a pitch that was far from easy at the Mem, although Barton's comments, as always, were fairly explosive.

He said: "I'll level with you, I wish it was the end of the season. We can't really get promoted, it doesn't look like we're going to get in the relegation battle. I've just got to the point where you want to set the targets for next year. There's nothing worse with nothing to play for with nine games to go."

Rovers don't have a game for 20 days now, but keep that in mind to oppose them in future, as they have gone way off the boil at home. Those comments are not exactly inspiring either.

Pompey in ninth place on 57 points are seven behind Peterborough, and they are a solid unit at Fratton Park with just three defeats all season. With that loss column alone, I think they should be 4/6 chances this Saturday.

Their game-plan was spot-on at Bristol Rovers last weekend, they played the pitch well.

Mousinho said: "It wasn't the prettiest at times and we struggled a bit with their shape but to come away here, keep a clean sheet and score two goals was textbook for what we wanted to achieve."

The fact they nullified a good attack last weekend puts them in good shape against a Vale team that can play far too open at times, and have conceded 28 away in their 18 games.

The visitors also have a poor record on the south coast, and have only won one of their last five league meetings with Portsmouth (D1 L3), a 2-0 victory in April 2000 under Brian Horton.

Pompey have a good xA figure of 1.08, and with Bishop finding his form again, with five goals in his last six games and 18 League One goals - the most by a Pompey player in a season since Brett Pitman scored 24 in 2017-18, he looks worth a bet.

He could be an Anytime Goalscorer or First Goalscorer pick for Saturday as he also takes penalties. But Evens on the hosts looks a very solid selection.

Key Opta Stat: Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke has lost six of his seven league matches against Portsmouth (W1), losing all three of his trips to Fratton Park while Bristol Rovers manager.

Owls to cover handicap against woeful Rovers

Forest Green Rovers v Sheffield Wednesday
Sunday 26th March, kick-off 13:00
Live on Sky Sports Football

Duncan Ferguson against Darren Moore would have been a fine contest in their playing days. A bruising centre-forward against a no-nonsense defender, and while Big Dunc's career reached greater highs, it's Moore who is reaching the zenith in League One as his Wednesday push for the title.

The Owls are back on Sky again for the second time in a week, but they suffered the shock of shocks on Tuesday as they conceded four at Barnsley. For a side with the best defensive record by miles in the division, it was fairly bewildering to see them go down so easily.

Two goals in the last eight minutes was a Yorkshire derby disaster.

However, Wednesday are still 1.618/13 on the Exchange in the League One Winner market, and Plymouth are stoic in their pursuit and won't relinquish top spot easily, and they won again last weekend 2-0.

The Green Machine are two clear on 80 points, but the market is seeing the two games in hand for the Owls as the key factor here, with Plymouth still at 6.25/1.

The mistakes on Tuesday were so uncharacteristic, but also credit to Barnsley as they are a good side. Forest Green cannot boast anything as regal as Barnsley's attack and have lost five out of their last six and barely score a goal.

I said it was a bad job for Ferguson to take, and I cannot see him staying there long. Since Ferguson's first league game in charge of Forest Green, no team has won fewer points in League One than they have (2) and no side has scored fewer goals (5). It's a grim old picture at the bright New Lawn.

Wednesday make no appeal at 2/5 for an outright, and the best the hosts can hope for is to defend, defend and defend to last out.

Backing Wednesday in the Handicap will be sensible, but the BTTS at 4/6 'No' is a sound play. Wednesday have conceded just 13 goals away from Hillsborough all season, which is exceptional. It was a blip on Tuesday, and we can take the 4/6.

For a First Goalscorer bet to boost the options for a Bet Builder, Lee Gregory scored twice at Oakwell on Tuesday, but it's only eight all season for the forward. That's a disappointing return for a player on big money in League One. Josh Windass has 15 in 38 this term and he looks the better option.

He missed Tuesday through injury, but Moore seems hopeful he could make it.

Key Opta Stat: Forest Green's only previous competitive meeting with Sheffield Wednesday saw them lose 5-0 at Hillsborough in this season's reverse meeting in August.