Saturday League One Tips: Jackson to deny Jimmy the points at Pirelli

Cowley's injury worries mounting up

Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth
Saturday 13th November, kick-off 15:00

Wycombe's 100% home record went at the hands of Ipswich recently, and in some style too with a crushing 1-4 defeat. They produced their usual intense pressure early in the game with Town under the cosh as David Wheeler netted an early goal, but Cook's team found their passing and opened up Wycombe like a can of beans - which is most unlike them.

Ainsworth however always backs his team no matter what and they still boast one of the best home records in the division - winning six and losing just once. Indeed, the Chairboys boss said: "Overall, I think we have had a great first third of the season and if we can do the second third, the same as we have done, then we will have a right chance of promotion."

They haven't lost consecutive home matches in League One since a run of three in April 2019, the second game of which came against Portsmouth, but that's a fair enough stat to have a bit of faith backing the hosts here, who don't look a bad price at 2.26/5. And their intense early pressure will really test Danny Cowley's side; as during this campaign, nine of Wycombe's 26 league goals have been scored inside the first 20 minutes. An early goal makes that 2.206/5 go to around 1.84/5 and opportunities to trade out.

Injuries haven't helped Ainsworth at all, but they have an important batch of home fixtures coming up.

Since beating Fleetwood 1-0 on the opening day of the season, Portsmouth have failed to win any of their last seven away league games (D3 L4). Add to that, Cowley could have only 14 senior players available and I am not sure the markets have caught on to this. With the away record and team news, I am far from convinced about Pompey's price to win at 3.6553/20.

Joe Morrell (Wales) and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) are on international duty while Clark Robertson (hip), Ryan Tunnicliffe (hamstring), Ellis Harrison (ankle) and Jayden Reid (knee) are all out at present, while defenders Paul Downing (hamstring) and Liam Vincent (shin) only returned to full training on Monday. There could be two more to add to the list but Cowley remained tight-lipped on their identities.

They are three unbeaten with a clean sheet against Bolton - which was very much needed after they were spanked by Rotherham and Ipswich, but the injuries are a problem and we can oppose the away side, despite having a decent record historically against the south coast club. For a Betuilder option; Sam Vokes has four in 18 this term, to back him anytime to score and the hosts to win plays out 4.22 on the Sportsbook.

KEY OPTA STAT: Portsmouth have lost two of their last three league matches against Wycombe at Adams Park (W1) and suffered a 1-0 defeat on their last visit there in September 2019 under Kenny Jackett.

Stanley at home underrated and draw could be the sensible play

Accrington Stanley v Plymouth Argyle
Saturday 13th November, kick-off

It's Plymouth time again for Saturday, and a landmark day for manager Ryan Lowe who takes charge of the Greens for the 100th time off the back of landing the manager of the month award for October following an unbeaten October. The 43-year-old has won 43 of his 99 matches, but the most telling number is the fact they have scored 142 times and conceded just as many at 133. You always get entertainment with Lowe.

They are now unbeaten in 15 (the best run in the EFL) and sit a point behind leaders Wigan but as usual on international week, they are missing Brendan Galloway and Luke Jephcott. Veteran Kieran Agard or Jordon Garrick should come in for six-goal Jephcott, with the left-sided option at the back likely to be filled by Macaulay Gillesphey in the centre-half trio. Ryan Hardie will start and he is Arygle's top scorer with 10.

Garrick could be the interesting selection ahead of Agard, as his pace is a potent weapon.

Accrington are a very solid outfit at home - winning four of their six and losing just once, but October was very inconsistent. They lost to Cheltenham, beat Charlton, and conceded two at home in a 2-2 against Portsmouth.

Following a 1-0 win at the Wham Stadium last season, Plymouth are looking to record consecutive away league wins against Accrington for the first time and are the right favourites here at 2.3611/8. Accrington at 3.02/1 have lost just one of their last nine home league games (W5 D3), going down 4-1 against Wigan in September.

Colby Bishop is suspended following his red card against Port Vale and Matt Butcher and Joe Pritchard remain on the sidelines. Sean McConville returned to training after illness while David Morgan is touch and go after going over on his ankle in training. Accrington have won four and might just be a little bit under-rated here, and while I think both can score, I like the Draw outright at 3.6553/20.

KEY OPTA STAT: Accrington failed to win either of their two league matches against Plymouth last season (D1 L1), the first time they'd faced the Pilgrims but not beaten them in a league season since 2013-14 (two draws).

Jackson to maintain his fine start with south Londoners

Burton Albion v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 13th November, kick-off

With two very short price home wins for MK Dons and Sheffield Wednesday (both at nearly 1/2), we can readily skip those in favour of backing a resurgent Charlton.

The Addicks have scored in each of their last 12 away league games - only once have they had a longer run without failing to score on the road (13 games in the 1963-64 season). One of those came in the shock of the season - and Johnnie Jackson's first game in charge when beating Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light recently. They also earned a point against Rotherham - one of the strongest teams in the league.

Burton are not too dissimilar to the Millers with their direct style, but they lack the quality, but their scoring record is excellent at the Pirelli this term as they have netted in every game. Jackson will be thoroughly prepared, which is an obvious thing to say, but Albion have been known to change systems and formations to try and get away from the tag of a direct team.

The hosts have a W4 D2 L2 record at home and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side will continue to play well enough in some games, but some isn't enough and they have been too inconsistent. Especially with the poor performances against Oxford and Wigan.

The Addicks are pressing much better under Jackson, playing with a lot more intensity higher up the pitch, and with the 2.89/5 win price, we can go a bit conservative here and get the Draw No Bet option around 2.111/10.

KEY OPTA STAT: All four Football League meetings between Burton and Charlton have seen both sides find the net in the first half - in two of those four games, the side scoring first has then lost (Burton in November 2018 and Charlton in February 2021).