Sky Bet - Weekend preview
AFC Wimbledon v Tranmere Rovers
Micky Adams hopes for his first win in charge of Tranmere when Sky Bet League 2’s bottom club travel to AFC Wimbledon. Rovers are 12/5 to end a 10-match run without a victory, while AFC Wimbledon are the 23/20 favourites for the three points and the draw can be backed at 23/10. Both of these sides drew 0-0 in midweek so this encounter might not necessarily be full of goals despite the presence of star strikers Matt Tubbs and Adebayo Akinfenwa for the Dons. The pair lead the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 and 4/1 respectively, while Tranmere trio Danny Johnson, Armand Gnanduillet and George Donnelly are all available at 15/2.
Top tip: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Cambridge United v Hartlepool United
Hartlepool hope to climb out of the Sky Bet League 2 relegation zone with victory at Cambridge. Pools are the outsiders at 16/5 for the win, Cambridge are 17/20 favourites and the draw can be supported at 5/2. Hartlepool have won only one of their last eight league matches to remain at the wrong end of the table and back-to-back defeats to Luton and Accrington make it vital to bounce back. Cambridge’s 2-1 defeat at home to Cheltenham in midweek ended a three-match unbeaten run for the U’s. Kwesi Appiah is a striker in good form for the hosts with three goals in his last three matches and the Crystal Palace loanee can be backed at 9/2 to net first. Charlie Wyke is Hartlepool’s top contender in the first goalscorer betting at 13/2.
Top tip: Kwesi Appiah to score first at 9/2.
Carlisle United v Oxford United
Oxford look to build on back-to-back wins when they travel to Carlisle on Saturday. The U’s are 13/8 with Sky Bet to claim victory in Cumbria, with the hosts quoted at the same price to notch three points. The draw can be backed at 23/10. Oxford’s star striker Danny Hylton struck twice in the 3-1 win at Northampton in midweek and he’s the 5/1 favourite to score first in this match. Carlisle trio Steven Rigg, Derek Asamoah and Kyle Dempsey are all priced up at 6/1 to open the scoring. The Cumbrians lost 4-3 at home to Burton on Tuesday night and there have been plenty of goals at Brunton Park this season. A 4-4 draw against AFC Wimbledon is also remembered from earlier in the campaign so 14/1 on six or more goals to be scored might just be interesting.
Top tip: Six or more goals to be scored at 14/1.
Luton Town v Northampton Town
Luton have marched up to third in the Sky Bet League 2 standings with six wins from their last seven games. Northampton provide the opposition at Kenilworth Road on Saturday and it’s no surprise to see the Hatters as the 6/5 favourites to claim victory. Northampton, who have lost three matches on the spin, can be supported at 23/10 and the draw is available at the same price. Luton striker Mark Cullen scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Dagenham on Tuesday night to make it five goals scored in his previous three matches. The former Hull forward is the 4/1 favourite to net first this weekend, while Northampton’s top two contenders are Ivan Toney and Alex Nicholls (both priced up at 13/2).
Top tip: Mark Cullen to score first at 4/1.
Newport County v Accrington Stanley
Newport sit just outside the Sky Bet League 2 play-off places and hope victory at home to Accrington will see them move into the top seven. County are odds-on favourites at 17/20 for the three points, Accrington can be backed 100/30 and the draw is a 12/5 shot. Newport claimed 1-0 wins in both of their last two matches and have bagged four victories from their previous five games. Accrington are climbing up the table after a slow start and enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Hartlepool in midweek. Shay McCartan scored twice in that win and looks a good shout at 7/2 to net again on Saturday.
Top tip: Shay McCartan to score at 7/2.
Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town
Plymouth and Cheltenham meet on Saturday with only one point separating the pair in the Sky Bet League 2 table. The Pilgrims are the 13/10 favourites for the win, the visiting Robins can be backed at 21/10 and the draw is available at 23/10. A 0-0 draw with AFC Wimbledon in midweek ended a run of four victories in a row for Plymouth and spirits remain high for John Sheridan’s men. Cheltenham are feeling good after back-to-back victories but this is a game where the winner is very hard to call. Plymouth striker Reuben Reid is the 9/2 favourite to score first, while Cheltenham forward Byron Harrison is the most likely prospect for the away side at 13/2.
Top tip: The draw at 23/10.
Shrewsbury Town v Portsmouth
Shrewsbury are the odds-on favourites at 4/5 to claim three points from their clash with Portsmouth on Saturday. Pompey are outsiders for the win at 7/2 and the draw can be backed at 5/2. Shrewsbury enter this match on a high after beating Bury 5-0 on Tuesday night and that made it three wins in a row for Micky Mellon’s men, who also have a Capital One Cup clash with Premier League leaders Chelsea to look forward to next week. Portsmouth ended a six-match run without a win by beating Stevenage 3-2 in midweek and there have been over 2.5 goals in three of their last four matches. Shrewsbury’s last two home matches have produced nine goals so expect an entertaining game.
Top tip: Over 2.5 goals at 11/10
Southend United v Bury
Bury dropped out of the automatic promotion places in Sky Bet League 2 after a 5-0 defeat at Shrewsbury in midweek. The Shakers are 7/4 to bounce back with three points at Southend but they have been inconsistent of late with a record of three wins and three defeats from their last six matches. Southend are the 6/4 favourites to win on Saturday and the draw is available at 23/10. The Shrimpers are without a victory in four matches on the back of a four-game winning run. There have been under 2.5 goals in all of Southend’s home league contests this season so this could again be a tight encounter.
Top tip: Under 2.5 goals at 8/11
Stevenage v Burton Albion
Burton sit level on points with Sky Bet League 2 leaders Wycombe after winning 4-3 at Carlisle on Tuesday night. The Brewers can be backed at 6/4 to make it back-to-back victories with success against Stevenage, who are available at 7/4 for the win. The draw can be supported at 23/10. There have been exactly three goals in Stevenage’s last three games so that’s a record to take note of. There are five players all priced up at 6/1 at the head of the top goalscorer betting. Burton trio Adam McGurk, Jacob Blyth and Lucas Akins are joined by Stevenage duo Roarie Deacon and Chris Beardsley as the market leaders.
Top tip: Exactly three goals to be scored at 3/1.
Wycombe Wanderers v Dagenham and Redbridge
Sky Bet League 2 leaders Wycombe are looking to quickly get back on track with victory at home to Dagenham after losing 2-1 at Exeter in midweek. That defeat ended a 10-match unbeaten run for the Chairboys in the league and they are now ahead of second-placed Burton only on goal difference. Wycombe are the odds-on favourites at 4/6 to beat Dagenham, who are the outsiders to claim the three points at4/1. The draw is a 11/4 shot. The Daggers have lost four of their last five matches so it would be a surprise if they surprised the pacesetters. Sam Wood scored in Wycombe’s two previous matches prior to the defeat at Exeter and he’s a big 9/1 to net first on Saturday.
Top tip: Sam Wood to score first at 9/1.
York City v Mansfield Town
York boss Russ Wilcox is looking for his first victory in charge of the Minstermen when they tangle with Mansfield on Saturday. York have been priced up at 11/10 for the win, Mansfield can be backed at 5/2 and the draw is available at 23/10. There has only been one win claimed from 16 matches for York this season so points are needed quickly if they are to climb the standings. Mansfield have drawn their last three games – the previous two matches finishing 0-0 – and it could be more of the same this weekend. Five of York’s seven home matches in the league this term have finished in a draw so it could pay to expect both teams to leave with a point.
Top tip: The draw at 23/10.
Morecambe v Exeter City
Exeter’s long trip to Morecambe finishes the Sky Bet League 2 action on Sunday. The hosts are the 7/5 favourites for the win, the visiting Grecians can be backed at 19/10 and the draw is available at 9/4. Morecambe are without a home victory from their last three contests and needed a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw against York in midweek. Exeter travel north on the back of a 2-1 victory over leaders Wycombe and are unbeaten in their previous four league games on the road. Both teams have scored in all 10 of Exeter’s last 10 matches so get with that record to continue at 4/5.
Top tip: Both teams to score at 5/6.
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