SKY BET - WEEKEND PREVIEW

Accrington Stanley v Morecambe

Accrington are the 6/5 favourites with the Football League sponsors to beat Morecambe in Friday night’s one and only match in Sky Bet League 2. The Shrimps can be backed at 23/10 and the draw is available at the same price. Accrington are in good form at home with four wins and a draw from their last five matches at the Store First Stadium. That said, Morecambe won at promotion contenders Burton in their previous game on the road so they won’t be overly concerned by that impressive recent record from Stanley. With there having been 90th and 89th minute goals in Morecambe’s last two contests, it could pay to take a look at the 11/1 for the first goal in the second half to arrive in the 86th minute or later.

Top tip: First goal in the second half to be scored in the 86th minute or later at 11/1

Burton Albion v Plymouth Argyle

This is one of Saturday’s most eyecatching games as third host sixth in Sky Bet League 2. Burton are 6/4 to pick up the three points, Plymouth can be supported at 9/5 and the draw is available at 9/4. The Brewers are not in the best of form despite their lofty position in the standings. They have lost seven and won three of their last 10 matches so a draw doesn’t look too likely! Plymouth, however, are on a great run with five wins and a draw from their last six matches. Lewis Alessandra has scored four goals during that sequence and fellow Pilgrims striker Reuben Reid has found the back of the net three times. Reid joins Burton striker Stuart Beavon as joint-favourite at 5/1 in the first goalscorer betting and Alessandra can be backed at 6/1.

Top tip: Lewis Alessandra to score first at 6/1.

Bury v Cambridge United

Bury are the odds-on favourites at 10/11 for victory at home to Cambridge on Saturday. The Shakers are seemingly a much better side at Gigg Lane than on the road with seven home victories in a row secured, while it’s only one win picked up in their last seven away games. Cambridge are priced up at 3/1 to pick up the three points and the draw is a 12/5 shot. The U’s have only lost one of their previous five matches but know it will be a tough test against the Shakers. Ryan Lowe has scored in four of Bury’s last five victories at home and looks a fair bet at 5/1 to net first. His Shakers team-mates Danny Rose and Danny Nardiello are ahead of him in the first goalscorer betting at 4/1 and 9/2 respectively. Tom Elliott is the shortest-priced Cambridge contender at 6/1.

Top tip: Ryan Lowe to score first at 5/1.

Cheltenham Town v York City

Cheltenham are 11/8 favourites to beat York on Saturday. The Minstermen are available at 2/1 for the win and the draw can be supported at 9/4. Cheltenham beat Northampton 3-2 in their last match at Whaddon Road but that’s the only victory in their previous five home games. York are one place and one point outside the relegation zone but are hard to beat with nine draws secured in their 17 contests so far this season. Cheltenham striker Byron Harrison is the 5/1 favourite in the first goalscorer betting with York duo Wes Fletcher and Diego De Girolama both available to back at 6/1.

Top tip: The draw at 9/4.

Dagenham & Redbridge v Shrewsbury Town

Shrewsbury return to Sky Bet League 2 action at Dagenham on Saturday.  The Shrews put in a creditable showing in the 2-1 defeat against Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night. Micky Mellon’s side are the 8/11 favourites to pick up three points on their travels, while hosts Dagenham can be backed at 4/1 and the draw is a 5/2 shot. Shrewsbury have won their last four League 2 matches on the spin but away from home it isn’t such a good story. Mellon’s men have lost five of their previous six away matches so Dagenham will be hopeful they can end a three-match losing run at home. There have been under 2.5 goals in three of Dagenham’s last four home and you can get 4/6 for under that mark at the weekend.

Top tip: Under 2.5 goals at 4/6.

Exeter City v Luton Town

Leaders Luton are priced up at 7/5 to make it eight Sky Bet League 2 victories in a row by picking up three points at Exeter on Saturday. Hosts Exeter are looking to make it three wins from three games and can be backed at 19/10 for the victory. The draw is available at 23/10. Both teams have scored in 10 of Exeter’s last 11 matches and victory over second-placed Wycombe proves they can mix it with the division’s big guns. Luton forward Mark Cullen is the 9/2 favourite to net first, while Exeter’s Graham Cummins joins Hatters striker Paul Benson at 6/1.

Top tip: Both teams to score at 5/6. 

Hartlepool United v Newport County

Hartlepool will hope for three points at home to Newport to move off the bottom of the Sky Bet League 2 table. Pools can be backed 11/5 to pick up the win but visitors Newport are the 5/4 favourites. The draw can be supported at 23/10. Hartlepool have only won one of their last 10 matches and are now under the management of their former midfielder Paul Murray. Newport are on a pretty good run of form with four wins, one draw and one defeat in their previous six matches. County forward Chris Zebroski is the 5/1 favourite in the first goalscorer betting and the top Pools contender is Charlie Wyke at 6/1. A higher number goals have come in the second half than the first in six of Newport’s last seven matches and in five of Hartlepool’s previous six contests. Back the same outcome on Saturday at 11/10.

Top tip: Most goals to be scored in the second half at 11/10.

Mansfield Town v Southend United

Southend are the 6/5 favourites to claim victory at Mansfield on Saturday as they look to get back on track after five games without a win. Hosts Mansfield can be backed at 23/10 for the win and the draw is available at the same price. The Stags enter this match on the back of six matches without a victory and their last four contests have all finished in a draw. Southend striker Lee Barnard is the 5/1 favourite in the first goalscorer market and Stags forward Rakish Bingham can be backed at 6/1.

Top tip: The draw at 23/10.

Northampton Town v AFC Wimbledon

Northampton will be desperate for three points on Saturday as they look to end a run of four defeats in a row with victory at home to AFC Wimbledon. The Cobblers can be backed at 11/8 for the win and the Dons are priced up at 2/1.  The draw is available at 9/4. AFC Wimbledon have only won one of their last six Sky Bet League 2 games so they also need to get back on track. Dons striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has netted eight goals in his last nine matches and is a lively contender at 5/1 in the first goalscorer betting. Northampton’s Alex Nicholls can also be backed at 5/1 and Akinfenwa’s strike partner Matt Tubbs is the 9/2 market leader.

Top tip: Adebayo Akinfenwa to score first at 5/1

Oxford United v Wycombe Wanderers

Oxford host Wycombe in an intriguing local derby in Sky Bet League 2 on Saturday afternoon. Hosts Oxford have won three and drawn one of their last four games at the Kassam Stadium and have been priced up as the 6/4 favourites to claim victory. Second-placed Wycombe have stumbled a little with a draw and defeat in their last couple of games but remain obvious promotion contenders. The Chairboys are 7/4 to pick up the three points and the draw can be backed at 23/10. Peter Murphy has scored in both of Wycombe’s last two matches and is 3/1 to net again this weekend. Oxford forward Danny Hylton and Wanderers striker Paul Hayes share first goalscorer favouritism at 5/1.

Top tip: Peter Murphy to score at 3/1

Portsmouth v Carlisle United

Carlisle make the long trip down to Portsmouth on Saturday and are priced up as the 5/2 outsiders with Sky Bet to claim victory. Pompey are the 11/10 favourites for the win and the draw can be supported at 12/5. The hosts beat Stevenage 3-2 in their last outing at Fratton Park and that’s their only victory in eight matches. Carlisle are showing signs of an upturn in fortunes since Keith Curle took charge and picked up a 2-1 victory over Oxford last weekend. Super sub Derek Asamoah has scored the final goal in both of the previous two contests for the Cumbrians and he’s an interesting shout at 13/2 to complete the scoring once again.

Top tip: Derek Asamoah to score the last goal at 13/2

Tranmere Rovers v Stevenage

Tranmere hope that claiming victory at home to Stevenage on Saturday will be enough to see them climb out of the relegation zone. Rovers are 13/10 for a vital three points, Stevenage can be supported at 2/1 and the draw is a 12/5 shot. Tranmere are without a win in their 11 matches since the end of August and there has been a change of manager during that run with Micky Adams replacing Rob Edwards. Stevenage are inconsistent at the moment with three wins and three defeats from their previous six contests but are on a high after a 1-0 win over Burton last time out. There have been under 2.5 goals in four of Tranmere’s last five home games, so a high-scoring encounter would have to be considered a surprise outcome here.

Top tip: Under 2.5 goals at 8/11