L1, L2, & Scottish Predictions > Dec 18th - 20th

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

Check out the odds and ratings for this weekend's League 1, League 2, and Scottish Premiership matches right here. Let's hear your predictions down below! 

[malabgd]

Hull City vs Portsmouth

 

 

Hull City

Doubtful: George Honeyman (16/2 m)

Doubtful: Alfie Jones (6/0 d), Martin Samuelsen (5/0 f), Jordy de Wijs (7/0 d), Callum Jones (1/0 m)

Suspended: -

 

Portsmouth

Doubtful:

Out (injuries/other): Lee Brown (14/0 d)

Suspended: -

 

Overall Stats
Hull City 7 home games	Portsmouth 8 away games

1.1	Goals scored per game	2.0
0.6	Goals conceded per game	0.9
57%	Clean sheets	38%
86%	Team scored	75%
29%	Team scored twice	75%
14%	Scored in both halves	38%
29%	Goal in both halves	50%

 

Daily updated injuries and suspensions information from more then 100 football leagues and competitions worldwide at: www.injuriesandsuspensions.com

[StevieDay1983]

Hull vs Portsmouth

There is no doubt about what the big game in League One is this weekend as 1st play 2nd in this highly-anticipated clash between Hull and Portsmouth in a 5:30pm GMT kick-off on Friday night from the KCOM Stadium. Even before I've written the introduction for this preview I was instantly thinking of a draw as the outcome but do the statistics suggest either team could sneak this one?

Hull come into this game knowing they have a massive opportunity to create some breathing space between themselves and their rivals. Grant McCann has done a superb job to lead the Tigers to the top of the table after their demoralising relegation last season. However, the club have faltered slightly lately with no win in their last 3 league matches. In fact, taking just 1 point from those 3 matches against teams you'd have expected them to earn more points against will have raised some eyebrows. The basis of the club's success at home this season has been keeping clean sheets with 4 clean sheets coming in their 7 home games so far with only 4 goals conceded in total on home turf in the league this season.

Portsmouth will also feel this game presents a big chance for them to capitalise on with the team in 2nd place and only 2 points behind their league-leading opponents. Kenny Jackett has faced his fair share of, some would argue unfair, criticism over recent months but it now looks like the former Wolves and Millwall manager is putting together a strong promotion-contending squad at Pompey. The team have only lost 1 of their last 8 league games to help them move up into the automatic promotion spots. Just 1 loss from their 8 away league games this campaign also shows how they've made themselves tough to beat on their travels. 

OK, so we shouldn't expect a thriller here. 5 of the last 7 Hull home matches and each of the last 5 Portsmouth league games have ended in less than 2.5 goals being scored. My feeling is that neither team has been in awesome form in the league recently. They've both been grinding out the results and simply looking to avoid defeat first then snatch a win if possible. I don't think either team would begrudge a draw so that's the outcome I'm backing.

Draw @ 3.50 with Bet365

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.85 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

Newport County vs Oldham

League 2 delivers a few interesting matches this weekend but I'm returning to my old reliable and faithful neighbouring city club for my second preview in this section this weekend. It's Newport County versus Oldham in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday afternoon from Rodney Parade. The home team are the league leaders but they host an away side who might be lowly placed but are starting to pick up some key victories.

Newport County are living the dream at the top of the league table. Michael Flynn is further increasing his stock value as one of the best young managers in the Football League. The Exiles are 2 points clear of 2nd placed Carlisle so the pressure will be on to win here to keep ahead of their rivals who are trying to chase them down. It is just 2 wins from their last 6 league games though and two league matches without a win now. The club remain one of the most potent teams in the final third having scored in each one of their 18 league matches so far this season.

Oldham have been experiencing issues this season and the club is still down in 16th place despite having won 4 of their last 6 league matches. At least that run of victories has moved them to within 5 points of the play-offs so the Latics do appear to be making some progress. Harry Kewell has seen his team perform superbly on the road with the team having won 5 of their last 6 away league matches. Unfortunately, it was a 3-2 loss at home against Walsall last week and it's the leaky defence that has been their weakness this campaign.

I will back Newport County against anyone this season. I feel they're well set to make a real push to get promoted. Oldham are still a side I feel are a defeat or two away from going off the rails. Both of these teams have scored 28 goals each from their 18 league games so far so they know where the net is. I can see a victory for the home team with both teams scoring.

Newport County to Win @ 1.83 with William Hill

BTTS @ 1.82 with SBK

[peanut peanut]

Swindon v Charlton  15:00

Swindon over 19.5 booking points @ 1.95 hill

Swindon have had 42 cards this season,21 at home and have had 20+ in 6 from the last 7 in the league.