HAVING given us eight winning Football League tips from his past 12, Mark O'Haire (@MarkOHaire) goes in search of more winners this weekend.
Blackpool v Wolves | 13th September 2014 | 15.00
My first pick from the Championship is the most boring bet on the Football League coupon. I’m also breaking my rule of refusing to back any team at odds-on away in the Football League but I just have to make an exception here…
It’s been another turbulent and quite embarrassing week for Blackpool. Chairman Karl Oynston went public with his criticism of boss Jose Riga and Oynston then approached Burton boss Gary Rowatt to take the role despite not yet sacking Riga. Rowatt rejected the offer and Blackpool look in a sorry state.
In 2014 they’ve lost 20 of 28 league games and scored just 14 goals. Wolves have been magnificent under Kenny Jackett. They nestled into third with four wins from five and all against teams well fancied pre-season including three relegated teams – Norwich, Cardiff, Fulham and Blackburn. They’ve kept three clean sheets during those five games which deserves plenty of plaudits and the unity between the team and amongst the club and fans appears to have come full circle.
Crawley Fleetwood | 13th September 2014 | 15.00
Crawley take on Fleetwood and you’re entitled to think it could be quite dull. We put Crawley up for relegation but after starting with successive wins, I did start to take note. But four consecutive defeats – three to nil – have brought them right back down the League One table.
Fleetwood are sitting third after promotion. But after opening with three successive wins they’ve picked up two points from nine and failed to score twice so I’m not rushing to latch onto either team. Instead, it’s the half-time correct-score market.
Crawley have scored only three in six league games – never more than once and 4/6 have been goalless at half-time – the other two just 1-0. Last season 7/19 at home and 16/46 overall were 0-0 at the interval. Despite being in third Fleetwood have only scored six in six themselves – we mentioned they’ve failed to net in 2/3 in the league and three of their six have seen the teams go into half-time level at 0-0. The other three were also just 1-0.
Accrington v Wimbledon | 13th September 2014 | 15.00
Goals look likely to be on the menu. Both teams were quite shotshy last season but six games in and between them they’ve scored 18 in 12 games. But crucially, both teams are leaking goals as well as scoring.
With Accrington’s six games producing 20 goals and Wimbledon’s producing 22 goals, they’re averaging 3.5 goals-per-game between them. Accrington have had a tough start to the season but James Beattie’s team have scored in 4/6, yet to keep a clean sheet and seen Overs bank in their last five.
Wimbledon have made a fairly inconsistent start but have scored in all six, kept just 2/6 clean sheets and seen 4/6 go Over 2.5 including last week’s thrilling 4-4 with Carlisle. Both sides look creaky defensively but more than capable of scoring so this could be another entertaining afternoon.
Blackpool v Wolves – Wolves to win (5/6 Coral)
Crawley v Fleetwood – 0-0 HT correct score (7/4 Ladbrokes)
Accrington v Wimbledon – Over 2.5 Goals (22/23 SkyBet)
