Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th

[Aidymac]

[TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Saturday 18 January 2014[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Draw[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Bury v Burton Albion (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.37[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.25[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.8[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]108.59 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Cheltenham Town v Accrington Stanley (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.72[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.6[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4.2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]109.48 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Exeter City v Morecambe (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.25[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.25[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]109.16 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Fleetwood Town v Hartlepool United (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.8[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]109.13 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Newport County v Dagenham & Redbridge (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.3[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]109.35 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Portsmouth v Mansfield Town (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.3[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]108.87 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Rochdale v Plymouth Argyle (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.3[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]109.35 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Scunthorpe United v AFC Wimbledon (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.75[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]108.89 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Southend United v Chesterfield (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.6[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.6[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]108.17 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Torquay United v Northampton Town (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.3[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.1[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]108.02 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Wycombe Wanderers v Oxford United (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.6[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.6[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]108.17 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]York City v Bristol Rovers (15:00 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.25[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.25[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]109.16 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[PokerWolf1]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Any reason Scunthorpe are 4/5? I consider this to be quite high given they are top of the form table, top of the league and at home to a team 21st in the form table? Anything I have missed?

[Smurf]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th

Any reason Scunthorpe are 4/5? I consider this to be quite high given they are top of the form table' date=' top of the league and at home to a team 21st in the form table? Anything I have missed?[/quote'] I had the same thoughts. I don't know enough about Scunthorpe's squad but that aside I can't see any other reason why they are priced so favourably.

[Jase82]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th

Any reason Scunthorpe are 4/5? I consider this to be quite high given they are top of the form table' date=' top of the league and at home to a team 21st in the form table? Anything I have missed?[/quote'] No idea mate. It looks a good bet given 1.8 is available, and considering AFC aren't the tightest of sides you'd have to like Scunthorpe to score. League Two is a bit of a topsy turvy league this season so I wouldn't personally read too much into the fact they're top. On the face of it looking at the league table the average punter might assume Scunthorpe are worth their position, and while I wouldn't take anything away from them, they could easily find themselves fifth by March. Things will change. Maybe that's why there's a lack of confidence in the market :unsure

[andypaps28]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th I guess it is partly to do with the fact that Scunthorpe have NEVER beaten AFC Wimbledon. It is only 3 games mind you , 2 draws and 1 defeat !

• Scunthorpe United have never beaten AFC Wimbledon in any competition (D1 L2).
• AFC Wimbledon have recorded just one win in their last nine league outings (D4 L4).
• Paul Hayes scored twice on his Scunthorpe return against Mansfield, his first league goals since April 2013.
• 78% of the Dons' goals this season have come in the second half, a league-high share.
• Sam Winnall has been involved in 47% of Scunthorpe's goals this season (scoring 13, assisting 5).

[andypaps28]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th This is usually a good source to whittle down the better bets Source William Hill OPTA Stats League Two Opta Facts – 18th January Bury v Burton · Bury have never lost to Burton Albion in any competition (W4 D2). · The Brewers have visited Gigg Lane twice in the past; they have not scored there (L2). · Eight of Bury's goals this season have come via defenders, a joint league high. · Burton Albion are unbeaten in nine league games, the joint longest run in the division with Scunthorpe (W6 D3). · The Shakers have lost twice in their last 12 league games at Gigg Lane (W4 D6). Cheltenham v Accrington · Cheltenham Town have registered just one win at home from a possible four in league competition against Accrington Stanley (D1 L2). · Accrington Stanley have recorded only one win in their last five league games against Cheltenham Town (D1 L3). · Cheltenham Town have dropped 11 points at home when leading this season, a joint league-high along with Portsmouth. · Only one of Peter Murphy's seven goals for Stanley this season in League Two has come away from home. · Accrington are one of two teams yet to score in the opening 15 minutes (along with AFC Wimbledon), but have conceded eight in that time frame - a league high. Exeter v Morecambe · The Grecians have managed just one win in five league meetings with Morecambe (D2 L2). · The Shrimps have won only one of their last five league matches away from home, scoring just one in their last three (D1 L3). · Artur Krysiak has made the most saves in League Two this season (127). · Morecambe have gained 21 points from losing situations in League Two this season, a division high tally. · Exeter are winless in six home league games, failing to score in five of them (D1 L5). · Morecambe have been shown the most yellow cards in League Two (48), while no side has been shown fewer than Exeter Fleetwood v Hartlepool · The Cod Army have gone 16 league games without a clean sheet at home. · Hartlepool United have claimed one away win in six league games (D2 L3). · Fleetwood have scored 24 second half goals in the league this season - no side has managed more. · Pools have scored nine times from outside the area, more than anyone else in the league. · Fleetwood have converted five penalties this season, more than any other side. Newport v Dag & Red · Newport County have scored in every home game they have played this season in League Two (10 games). · Dagenham & Redbridge are without an away win in seven league games (D2 L5). · Adam Chapman has been shown nine yellow cards this season - no League 2 player has been booked more than him. · Seven of Rhys Murphy's last ten league goals for the Daggers have come away from home. · Dagenham have scored a league-high nine goals in the 15 minutes after half-time this season. Portsmouth v Mansfield · Pompey have never beaten the Stags in league competition (D2 L1). · Mansfield Town have won successive league matches away from home, having previously gone seven visits without a win (D3 L4). · Portsmouth have dropped 20 points when leading in League 2 this season, the most any side in the division. · The Stags have let in 11 goals from outside the area this season; no other team has conceded more than eight. · Ricky Holmes has the most assists in League Two this campaign (8). Rochdale v Plymouth · Rochdale have lost just one of their last six home games in the league against Plymouth Argyle (W2 D3). · The Pilgrims have registered only two wins in their last 10 league games away from home (D3 L5). · Rochdale have won the most home games this season in League Two (9). · Plymouth's last eight league goals have come in the second half. · 39% of Plymouth's goals this season have come in the final 15 minutes, a league-high share. Scunthorpe v Wimbledon · Scunthorpe United have never beaten AFC Wimbledon in any competition (D1 L2). · AFC Wimbledon have recorded just one win in their last nine league outings (D4 L4). · Paul Hayes scored twice on his Scunthorpe return against Mansfield, his first league goals since April 2013. · 78% of the Dons' goals this season have come in the second half, a league-high share. · Sam Winnall has been involved in 47% of Scunthorpe's goals this season (scoring 13, assisting 5). Southend v Chesterfield · The Shrimpers have managed just two league wins in their last six home games against Chesterfield (D1 L3). · The Spireites have only lost once in their last five league games away from home (W2 D2). · Kevan Hurst has scored in four of his last five games at Roots Hall for Southend. · 33 of Chesterfield's 37 goals have come from inside the area this season - no side has scored more in this way. · Southend are the only League Two side yet to find the net between the 46^th and 60^th minute. Torquay v Northampton · Torquay United are currently unbeaten in six league games against the Cobblers at home (W4 D2). · Northampton Town have claimed one win in the last nine league meetings with Torquay United (L4 D4). · Torquay have scored exactly one goal in each of their last five league at Plainmoor. · 63% of Northampton's goals this season have come in the first half, a division-high proportion. · The Gulls hold one win in ten home league games (D5 L4). Wycombe v Oxford Utd · The Chairboys have been beaten by Oxford United only once in the last seven league meetings (W2 D4). · Oxford United are unbeaten in 12 league games away from home, a run that stretches into last season (W8 D4). · Wycombe's last nine league goals have come from different goalscorers. · The U's have failed to score in three of their last four league fixtures. · Dean Morgan scored a brace in the reverse fixture against Oxford earlier in the season. York v Bristol Rovers · York City have registered one win in four league meetings with Bristol Rovers (D1 L2). · Bristol Rovers are without a win at York City in five visits, losing four of them (D1). · The Minstermen have gained a solitary point from behind this season in League 2, the fewest of any side. · John O'Toole has scored seven times in his last 10 appearances for Rovers in all competitions. · York have scored just once in the final 15 minutes this season (3% of their goals) but 13 times between the 61^st and 75^th minutes (41% of their goals).

[boggen]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Wycombe - Oxford United League 2 England Saturday 18/1 16:00 Prediction: Oxford United Odds: 2,75 Stake: 3/10 Bookmaker: Bet365 Wycombe placed 18th in the table, at home to Oxford who are currently placed 7th in the table. Local rivals go head to head and we think Oxford will win this battle, coming from a very good performance in the FA cup away to Charlton. Oxford much better away than at home, away stats 10-6-4-0 (20-7) Wycombe really nothing special and is one of the weaker home sides in the division. Oxford clearly the better side, and their performance in the FA Cup has boosted the team.

[boggen]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Portsmouth - Mansfield League 2 England Saturday 18/1 16:00 Prediction: Portsmouth Odds: 2,20 Stake: 5/10 units Bookmaker: Bet365 Portsmouth placed 20th in the table, against Mansfield in 17th position in the table. Portsmouth looks improved with a few new signings, defensively they look well organized. Mansfield a rather physical team who has been traveling long distances lately, we like Portsmouth here even though they rarely impress offensively. But as mentioned, they look improved overall as a team now and we predict them to edge this game over Mansfield.

[boggen]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Southend - Chesterfield League 2 England Saturday 18/1 16:00 Prediction: Draw Odds: 3,50 Stake: 2/10 units Bookmaker: Bet365 A match between two really good sides for the division. Southend placed 5th in the table, and Chesterfield placed 3rd. Both teams with decent form and we predict this be a very close game, were both teams likely to be satisfied with one point each. Its two solid teams and a close match is expected.

[boggen]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Scunthorpe - AFC Wimbledon League 2 England Saturday 18/1 16:00 Prediction: Scunthorpe Odds: 1,885 Stake: 6/10 units Bookmaker: PinnacleSports Scunthorpe has really pleased us with some solid performances lately, now top of the division. Wimbledon is a bit unpredictable but was useless in their last game were they lost at home against bottom side Torquay 2-0. Wimbledon look's tired, few players with some problems and we think they should struggle here against at the moment best team in the division. Wimbledon also rather weak on the road only winning 3 out of 12 games. Scunthorpe should win this one, maybe even easily?

[Jase82]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Cheltenham V Accrington Stanley + 0.5 @ 2.025 - bet365. Cheltenham look a little short here and the odds are surely led by the fact Cheltenham were pre season favourites pre season coupled with both sides league positions. However Accrington are playing much better football than they were at the start of the season. They've only lost one out of their last five, and away have won three out of their last five, yet are without a draw. Cheltenham have only one solitary win in their last five home fixtures and look light in midfield today with the news that 31 year old midfielder David Noble looks set to miss out through injury. When you consider they're a similar price to Scunthorpe I know who I'd rather back.

[Jase82]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th York City V Bristol Rovers Over 2.5 goals @ 2.10 - bet365. Going for the higher placed odds here as I see better value. It might be a crazy selection given neither side are that prolific and the unders could be about right but these two sides have faced each other three times (twice in the cup) this season and there have been sixteen goals scored between them. I think Rovers injury issues are easing up slightly so I believe both sides will see this as a winnable game. With York undefeated in five and Rovers' desperation for three points I see a fairly open contest. The unders for once don't attract me as there's usually goals when these two meet here at this level. Exeter @ 2.2 - bet365 V Morecambe. This could be a good time for Exeter to get back to winning ways against a potentially injury ravaged Morecambe side who I think are punching slightly above their weight anyway. Morecambe could be without six players today, although I would think some might play through the pain as Morecambe have one of the smallest squads available, with emphasis placed on youth. If they lose two or three first team players they seriously have to look at blooding players with zero experience. Full-back Robbie Threlfall (18/1), captain defender Mark Hughes (26/2), winger Marcus Marshall (10/0), defender Andy Parrish (26/0) and midfielder Ryan Williams (17/3) could all be missing. That's three out of the regular back four and should Marcus Marshall miss out that leaves them very light in wide areas. It remains to be seen who will play but I'll take a gamble here as even if some make it there are question marks over their fitness. Should any start, if they can't complete 90 minutes, the bench is particularly thread bare. They named six substitutes last weekend against Wycombe, and there isn't much experience there. A couple were from the youth ranks. I like this as well because it's not a public bet, yet! More info regarding Morecambe -

Jim Bentley could be without a host of players for his side’s visit to Exeter City on Saturday. The Morecambe boss has a mounting injury list ahead of the trip to Devon with captain Mark Hughes and Andy Parrish amongst those set to be assessed ahead of the League 2 clash. And Bentley admitted that, coupled with the recent bad weather, the lack of players training in the run up to the game has made preparations for the game difficult. He said: “It’s difficult to train with the weather because we’ve got a few lads, Jack Redshaw and Kevin Ellison included because of their hips, who won’t train on astro turf. “There’s also a couple of knocks we’re going to have to leave right up until the last minute so it’s been difficult to work on everything ahead of the game. “Marcus Marshall is still a couple of weeks away, Ryan Williams needs an injection in his hamstring, Andy Wright’s making good progress and could come back in, Andy Parrish hasn’t trained on his ankle all week, Robbie Threlfall’s had stitches in his eye and Mark Hughes has had stitches in his shin. “But that’s what football is all about. “I don’t get too worried about it because when we went eight or nine games unbeaten I was naming five on the bench and then when we were back to full we couldn’t win. “It’s one of those things. You can’t affect it and from that list I’ve just mentioned hopefully we’ll have one or two available and whatever team goes out will be ready and raring to go.” Despite the injury woes, Bentley is confident his side can end a run of four games without a win. He said: “Saturday’s a tough game, it always is going down to Exeter. “We won there last year but they’ve got an experienced who knows the league inside out. “They’re on a bit of a sticky spell themselves but they’ve got a decent squad who were playing in League 1 not so long ago. “We go in with confidence on the back of two draws which means we’re hard to beat. “But we could do with a win, it’s four games now, we’re looking forward to getting back to winning ways and hopefully we can do that on Saturday.”

Regarding the highlighted text, Jim Bentley is clearly playing it down because during that run they put out five substitutes once in a 3-2 win away at Newport, and had a very settled back four for the duration. Now they have question marks over three of their regular back four, as well as the fact some players have been unable to train in the run up, coupled with the long old journey down to Exeter. It can take about five hours to get down there, which won't be an easy journey for the players carrying knocks and any that haven't trained.

[Jase82]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th

Southend - Chesterfield League 2 England Saturday 18/1 16:00 Prediction: Draw Odds: 3,50 Stake: 2/10 units Bookmaker: Bet365 A match between two really good sides for the division. Southend placed 5th in the table, and Chesterfield placed 3rd. Both teams with decent form and we predict this be a very close game, were both teams likely to be satisfied with one point each. Its two solid teams and a close match is expected.

I like this bet but I can't help but think it'll be a lot more open that it looks on paper. On paper both have pretty mean defences but I somehow can't see Southend keeping a clean sheet here, and when they concede they almost always find a way to bounce back. Both sides are at full strength and both have plenty of options. Both sides are in excellent form right now too and this is a massive game. With a win Southend could propel themselves back into the top three. Southend have conceded at least once in their last four home fixtures so for me it's both to score @ 1.8 - bet365.

[RIOT88]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Jase, what about the pompey game? May be they can grab 3 points in front of home crowd?

[Jase82]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th

Jase' date=' what about the pompey game? May be they can grab 3 points in front of home crowd?[/quote'] I wouldn't stick your house on it mate, until we show some consistency. We look a lot better defensively now that we have Painter back, and signed Alfie on loan from Swansea. There's nothing to really go on. It's been pissing it down in Portsmouth non stop for large spells over the last few days too, and is set to rain again later (although much lighter than previous days). No wind either, but the ground may be a little slippery. I'd leave it personally, but I can understand why you might back us.... new manager, new players etc.

[allthethings]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th

Cheltenham V Accrington Stanley + 0.5 @ 2.025 - bet365. Cheltenham look a little short here and the odds are surely led by the fact Cheltenham were pre season favourites pre season coupled with both sides league positions. However Accrington are playing much better football than they were at the start of the season. They've only lost one out of their last five, and away have won three out of their last five, yet are without a draw. Cheltenham have only one solitary win in their last five home fixtures and look light in midfield today with the news that 31 year old midfielder David Noble looks set to miss out through injury. When you consider they're a similar price to Scunthorpe I know who I'd rather back.

I've taken Accrington @ 4.4...odds seem crazy to me for a team that has had some great results away, and in a league where away wins by big dogs are not uncommon. Took the other three big dogs away, and only Hartlepool seems like throwing my money away. AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth are live dogs in my opinion.

[Jase82]

Re: Sky Bet League 2 > Saturday January 18th Exeter game's off :\