Midweek Football League Preview
Blue Square’s Jon Sykes takes a brief swipe at football’s current hot topic before taking a closer look at the Football League matches this midweek.I really don’t care about John Terry, nor the people that slate him but can’t wait to read that next big exclusive. I don’t care about the fact his assured performance on Sunday has seemingly put him back in favour with some. The brave soul. I did have to laugh about Garth Crooks saying he had, “balls of steel” though. No, for me its back to the real thing – ah Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of the league really has worked on me hasn’t it?! Whilst the media concentrates on wall-to-wall coverage of the tried and trusted pre-World Cup “knock ‘em down to build ‘em up” style, I’ll concentrate on those that aspire to reach the world of scandal and sordid tales.
Reading v Plymouth. That was a bit of a switch wasn’t it? It’s not exactly one that has you purring but in its own way though it really is a fascinating one, not to mention vitally important. Oh and it is a 23 pointer or whatever they refer to as a relegation battle these days. I really can’t understand why the Royals hold such favouritism here. It’s almost as if Brian McDermott’s brief revival of the former Premier League side has rendered us all with a case of amnesia. The last time I checked (about a minute ago just to make sure I wasn’t missing something) Reading are poor at home. In fact with two home wins all season, it’s the poorest in the league. The aptly named Pilgrims may well travel well this week after a promising performance at home to second-placed West Brom last Saturday. Its 4/1 about a Plymouth win but the draw no bet option also looks appealing at 11/4 for the more sceptical amongst you.
Back towards the top and Newcastle made a huge statement to the rest of the league on Friday night. I suggested this could be the game Chris Hughton’s team really prove their title credentials. The current price of 4/6 to win the Championship confirms they’re well on the way to getting back to the ‘big time’. The last time they were in this kind of position in a season, we all know what happened. For those that don’t, Kevin Keegan didn’t exactly love it. Newcastle travel to Derby tonight. Despite the recent success at home to rivals Forest, Derby have flattered to deceive at home and around evens on the Magpies looks well worth it. The Rams have struggled to keep out the goals on their own patch and will struggle to keep their improved run of form going. Newcastle to score in both halves is 13/5 and to win to nil is 9/4. Both look very decent prospects in a match that should be extremely one sided.
The big game in League Two tonight sees Sven’s travelling circus visit promotion rivals Bournemouth. The Cherries surprised many over the weekend (namely me) as they failed to dispose of Cheltenham whilst the Magpies succeeded in similar circumstances as they travelled away to Grimsby. I’ve not exactly been gushing with praise for Dave Kevan’s team but the players themselves must take credit for their recent form. Bournemouth’s success really is built on a miserly defence that has conceded less than all but Rochdale. Despite County’s tendency to have an attacking mindset I don’t expect many goals in this crucial tussle at the top. The draw is 23/10 and it’s worth looking at the 0-0 and 1-1 correct score prices of 15/2 and 6/1 respectively.
The managerial merry-go-round got back into action yesterday as Stuart McCall finally admitted defeat and resigned from Bradford City. With an improvement in form always likely at times like this it might be worth checking out the 20/1 about them gate crashing the playoffs and getting promoted. Perhaps it’s ambitious but the league is wide-open to anyone that even threatens a good run of form.
I’ll sign off with the almost traditional look at Blue Square’s enhanced trebles. The tempting one here comes from tonight’s action in League One. Its 7/1 that Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield and Swindon all win. That looks extremely inviting with the only concern around the Terriers away trip to Brighton. Their away form has hindered what would be a tilt at the automatic places but Brighton aren’t exactly inspirational at the Withdean with only two wins there all season. Gus Poyet’s side have had more joy away from home this season. The well-respected Uruguayan has at least one thing in common with Garth Crook’s favourite metallic man then.
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Author: Kevin Andrade
Comments
zynzkeob | 6 Apr 2010 at 02:50