IT’S time for the area quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy this midweek. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) outlines his favourite bets from Tuesday’s card.
Bristol City v AFC Wimbledon | Tuesday 19.45
Bristol City continued their impressive start to the 2014/15 campaign on Saturday with an FA Cup win away to Gillingham. That extended the Robins’ run to just one defeat in 19, with 12 victories to their name.
Steve Cotterill made five changes to his side ahead of their cup clash in Kent and he’ll be expected to rotate his squad again for Tuesday night’s meeting with Wimbledon at Ashton Gate. Wing-back Mark Little is almost certainly out whilst the likes of Wade Elliott, Luke Freeman, Luke Ayling and Kieran Agard could all be rested with a crucial League One showdown with Swindon coming up on Saturday.
The hosts are still rated firm 4/9 favourites and with just one league defeat since February, it’s hard to argue with the price. But you can boost that price to a very backable 11/5 with Coral if you look at the Bristol City win and Both Teams To Score market.
This bet has proved a winner in eight of City’s 12 victories this season whilst Cotterill’s men have only shutout five opponents in their 19 games to date.
Wimbledon arrive without a win in five but boss Neil Ardley was pleased with his team’s response to a 2-0 loss at Northampton. The Dons collected a 1-1 draw at York in the FA Cup on Saturday and have now netted in 14 of their 20 matches.
The visitors have actually seen Both Teams Score in there last 16 cup ties dating back to 2011 and a repeat could well be on the cards again.
Bury v Tranmere | Tuesday 19.45
It’s now nine successive home wins on the spin for Bury but they were made to work extra hard for their FA Cup success on Saturday. Conference South outfit Hemel Hempstead pushed the Shakers all the way, eventually succumbing to two late goals in the final five minutes.
Next is a visit from improving Tranmere and despite consistently saying that David Flitcroft’s hosts are the best team in League Two, there’s no way I can put my weight behind Bury at 7/10 for this fixture. It’s far too short, especially for a cup tie in which the home team are likely to rotate their personnel.
Tranmere are now four-games unbeaten under new boss Micky Adams and recorded their first win in 13 at the weekend when surviving an onslaught from Bristol Rovers. Adams’ team were forced to defend with 10 men for the final half hour after George Donnelly’s sending off and the experienced boss was delighted with his side’s attitude and application.
I get the feeling that Adams and Rovers will want to build on this positive upturn in form and will welcome the challenge on Tuesday night. They’re a huge price at 5/1 (Ladbrokes) but I’m going to take them at 5/4 in the Double Chance market with Paddy Power – here we’ll be paid out should the visitors avoid defeat.
Best Bets
Bristol City v AFC Wimbledon – Bristol City to win and Both Teams To Score (11/5 Coral)
Bury v Tranmere – Tranmere double chance (5/4 Paddy Power)
