Sky Bet - Weekend Preview
Burton Albion v Morecambe
Burton will be hoping to return to the top of the Sky Bet League 2 table with victory at home to Morecambe. The second-placed Brewers are behind leaders Wycombe only on goal difference and are priced up as odds-on favourites at 17/20 to win on Saturday. Morecambe are 16/5 to pick up the three points and the draw is 12/5. Burton are on an inconsistent run of form – three wins and three defeats from their last six games – but Morecambe have only claimed one victory in their previous six matches. Four of those Morecambe games have seen only one goal scored so the 2/1 that there are less than two goals in the match makes appeal.
Top tip: Under 1.5 goals at 2/1
Bury v Portsmouth
Bury have an outside shot of returning to the top of the Sky Bet League 2 table when they host Portsmouth on Saturday. The Shakers are odds-on favourites at 19/20 for the win, Portsmouth can be backed at 14/5 and the draw is a 12/5 chance. Bury lost 3-2 at AFC Wimbledon last time out and Pompey enter the game on the back of a five-match winless run. A three-point haul would provide both sides with a big boost but this will be a tight contest. Four of Pompey’s five matches without a win have resulted in draws so don’t be surprised to see this match end all-square.
Top tip: The draw at 12/5
Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town
Cheltenham hope to end an eight-match run without a win when they host Northampton on Saturdsy. Sky Bet make the Robins 6/4 to claim victory, Northampton can be supported at 15/8 and the draw is available at 11/5. Cheltenham’s last two matches have ended in 3-1 defeats and both teams have scored in four of their last five contests. Both teams have netted in six of Northampton’s previous seven matches so there’s no doubt about the top tip here.
Top tip: Both teams to score at 5/6
Dagenham and Redbridge v Newport County
Dagenham and Newport clash on Saturday after both teams picked up wins last weekend. Newport are the 6/4 favourites to claim an away victory, Dagenham can be backed at 7/4 and the draw is available at 23/10. The Daggers have lost four of their last five home matches so Newport will be hopeful of returning west with three points. Two of Newport’s three previous away games have ended in 0-0 draws and you can get 9/1 about there being goalscorer in this match.
Top tip: No goalscorer at 9/1
Hartlepool United v Luton Town
Luton will hope that three points from the long trip north to Hartlepool can see them move into the automatic promotion places. The Hatters are two points behind third-placed Bury and are 13/10 to pick up the victory that could see them climb up from fourth. Hartlepool are 21/10 to win and the draw is 23/10. Hartlepool won 2-1 at Exeter last time out but have only claimed one victory in their seven home games so far this season. Luton have won their last four Sky Bet League 2 matches so are a side in form. Luke Wilkinson has scored in two of those victories and is an interesting shout at 20/1 to score first here.
Top tip: Luke Wilkinson to be first goalscorer at 20/1
Mansfield Town v Cambridge United
Cambridge beat Oxford 5-1 in front of the Sky Sports cameras in their last match and are 19/10 to pick up another win against Mansfield. The Stags are the 11/8 favourites to bag the three points and the draw can be backed at 12/5. Cambridge claimed a surprise 3-1 victory at Burton in their previous away game and Ryan Donaldson is an interesting shout to net from midfield with goals in both of the last two contests.
Top tip: Ryan Donaldson to score anytime at 7/2
Oxford United v Tranmere Rovers
There will be plenty of pressure, even at this early stage of the season, when second-bottom hosts bottom in the Sky Bet League 1 standings. Oxford are the 23/20 favourites to claim victory, Tranmere are available at 5/2 and the draw is 9/4. Michael Appleton’s Oxford were thrashed 5-1 by Cambridge last weekend but had shown signs of improvement before that with only one defeats suffered in seven Sky Bet League 2 games. Tranmere will be desperate for three points after eight games without a win and only one goal scored in their last four matches. Oxford can be backed at 4/5 to net first as they have done in their previous two outings.
Top tip: Oxford to score first at 4/5
Plymouth Argyle v Carlisle United
Plymouth are the 11/10 favourites to claim victory when Carlisle make the very long trip south to Devon. The visitors from Cumbria are 5/2 to pick up the win and the draw can be backed at the same price. Plymouth are in good form with four wins from their last five games taking them into the play-offs and through in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Carlisle have seen an upturn in results since Keith Curle’s appointment as manager and have claimed three wins and a draw from their previous four matches. Brad Potts has scored in both of Carlisle’s last two outings and provides appeal at 12/1 to score first on Saturday.
Top tip: Brad Potts to be first goalscorer at 12/1
Southend United v Exeter City
Southend are the odds-on favourites at 7/10 to beat Exeter on Saturday. The travelling Grecians are 4/1 for the win and the draw is on offer at 13/5. Southend have suffered back-to-back defeats after a four-match winning run and Exeter have exactly the same record! Five of Exeter’s last six games have seen exactly three goals scored and 3/1 is the price for three goals at Roots Hall this weekend.
Top tip: Exactly three goals to be scored at 3/1
Stevenage v Accrington Stanley
Stevenage are the 11/10 favourites to defeat Accrington on Saturday despite only claiming one win in their last five matches. Accrington can be backed at 12/5 and are looking to bounce back after losing at home to Dagenham. The draw is available at 5/2. Sean Maguire has scored in two of Accrington’s previous four matches and can be backed at 12/5 to net again this weekend.
Top tip: Sean Maguire to score anytime at 12/5
Wycombe Wanderers v AFC Wimbledon
Sky Bet League 2 leaders Wycombe are the even-money favourites for victory at home to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. The visiting Dons can be backed at 13/5 and the draw is a 12/5 option. Wycombe are on a seven-match unbeaten run but will have to be wary. AFC Wimbledon have claimed impressive victories over MK Dons and Bury in their last two league and cup matches with Adebayo Akinfenwa very much the star. The in-form striker has scored seven goals in his side’s last six matches and is 2/1 to net again at the weekend.
Top tip: Adebayo Akinfenwa to score at 2/1
York City v Shrewsbury Town
York’s new manager Russ Wilcox is 13/8 with Sky Bet to start his reign with three points at home to Shrewsbury on Saturday. The Shrews are 9/5 for the win and the draw can be backed at 21/10. York have only claimed one victory all season after missing out in the play-offs last term and will be hoping Wilcox’s arrival can get them on track. Six of Shrewsbury’s previous seven games have seen one goal or fewer scored and you can get 7/4 about there being less than two goals in this clash.
Top tip: Under 1.5 goals at 7/4
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