English Football League / Ian Lamont / 28 October 2010 /

Ian Lamont tells us why Wycombe's gung-ho approach can prove profitable this weekend, or at the very least entertaining. Plus the other best bets from this weekends' action.

Wycombe v Lincoln

Attack! Apparently that's Gary Waddock's orders, believing that the Chairboys are playing promotion catch-up after too many draws at the start of the season. It got Aldershot promoted and it should make watching Wycombe fun, starting with last week's stunning 4-3 victory at Rotherham. That was fortunate, felt many, coming via a late, controversial penalty given when Kevin Betsy went down under a soft challenge.

It must please Waddock that the goals are spread about the team. But it must worry him that, with only 20, his side are not exactly the hottest shooters in the top seven and that Andy Sandell, a midfielder with five, has as many as strikers Ben Strevens and Scott Rendell combined. With disquiet in the stands - the Supporters Trust has not backed plans to stadium share with Wasps - Waddock needs to give them a tonic. The visit of Lincoln should provide an excellent chance. Steve Tilson might have earned a draw in his first game in charge, but it will take much hard work to turn the Imps into giants. There was a setback this week when Bury turned down the chance to let defender Ben Futcher return. Lincoln have Moses Swaibu on four bookings and only one other fit centre-back, Adam Watts. Take a home win at [1.6].

Aldershot v Bury

If you think a team is not going to win, a bigger price than your normal lay limits should not matter. Usually I look to lay odds-on. Aldershot were never going to be that after their poor display at Crewe last weekend, but simply can't be backed to beat Bury. As a unit, the defence might have decent players, however the players in front didn't help. Lessons in cohesion and shooting practice are still required by Kevin Dillon's men. Bury, unbeaten in seven, are full of confidence and can score freely or squeeze out a tight result. At Torquay they did both, winning 4-3 after being 2-0 down. That reminded me of the Bury team who drew 3-3 at the Rec two years ago - dominant for 60 minutes but failing to see out victory: at some point in the game they will let the opposition play. The Shakers' Ryan Lowe, in double figures already, will have the Shots quaking. Lay the hosts at [2.52].

Northampton v Gillingham

Never will a side have a better chance of winning away. How often do supporters think that after a bad run? No, really, after 29 winless away games Gillingham must feel confident of earning a long overdue victory up at Sixfields. They earned a point at then table-topping Port Vale recently and have twice scored four on their travels, losing 5-4 at Bury and 7-4 at Accrington. Andy Hessenthaler has time on his side - chairman Paul Scally saying a team he mainly inherited is not fully his own yet - and the manager would like to make progress here. Northampton are in freefall with five league defeats on the spin. Were Ian Sampson's men distracted by their continued League Cup assignment after beating Liverpool? If so, they shouldn't have been. Cups are a bonus. Gillingham are a decent bet for the week's longshot at [3.0]

Port Vale v Crewe

Crewe, unbeaten in 11, may appear to be more than the sum of their parts, but one can see why they score goals. Striker Clayton Donaldson is happy to spray the ball out wide and not hog glory, while Joel Grant, Ashley Westwood, Luke Murphy and Byron Moore will all keep opposing defenders busy. Under Dario Grady they might just make what he thinks is a viable push for promotion. Port Vale, home goals ratio 6-3, have not fully sparkled at Vale Park despite only losing once. They will do well to contain Crewe and can be laid. Look for [2.06].

Recommended Bets

Back Wycombe to beat Lincoln at [1.6]
Lay Aldershot at home to Bury at [2.5]
Lay Port Vale at home to Crewe at [2.06]
Longshot: Gillingham to end their long winless away streak at Northampton at [3.0]

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