THERE’S two Football League Trophy ties taking place on Tuesday night. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) has got them both covered.
Doncaster Rovers v Notts County | Tuesday 19.30
This Northern Area quarter-final clash features two teams more adept at getting results on the road as opposed to playing on home soil.
Both Doncaster and Notts County feature prominently in League Two’s ‘away’ league table whilst Rovers’ six points return from eight games at the Keepmoat represents the third tier’s worst record in home league fixtures.
Paul Dickov’s men pulled off another excellent result on their travels on Saturday, knocking Oldham out of the FA Cup but back on home soil, it’s hard to justify a bet on them at 5/4 (Paddy Power).
Why? Well Shaun Derry’s visitors remain undefeated on their travels in league action (W5-D4) and should be well equipped to at least avoid defeat in 90 minutes. The Magpies held Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in their last away fixture and have already avoided defeat on trips to Preston and Peterborough.
With County +0.25 available at 24/23 with BetVictor, it’s worth a small investment. We’ll have a winner if Derry’s men progress inside 90 minutes but if the game ends all square, we’ll have half our stake returned with the other half deemed a winner.
Tranmere Rovers v Walsall | Tuesday 19.45
A place in the Northern Area final is up for grabs when Tranmere take on Walsall at Prenton Park on Tuesday night. Both sides are enjoying their football again but which form team will progress?
It’s a tough task trying to find value in this match but it might pay to go against the bookmakers and have a nibble on Both Teams To Score at 21/20 with Coral.
Rovers, now under the tutelage of Micky Adams, have lost just twice in their last nine outings and also started to find their shooting boots again. The Wirral-based club failed to net in six of eight games between September and October but Adams’ men have notched in seven of their most recent eight now, even notching two or more goals in five of those fixtures.
Tranmere’s defence remains an issue. Saturday’s 2-2 draw means they’ve still kept just the two shutouts since mid-September but with six of their last eight games featuring Over 2.5 Goals.
Walsall enjoyed the weekend off and arrive on the back of just one loss in eight. Boss Dean Smith insists his side are ready and focussed on the challenge ahead and although they’ve boast a solid away record, there are chinks in the armoury.
Consecutive clean sheets for the Saddlers on the road warrants maximum respect but they have leaked in four of their last six away matches.
The prices are based around Walsall’s stodgy record for grinding out low-scoring games – eight of their last 14 have seen just one goal of fewer – but with Tranmere looking lively going forward and still struggling at the back, a small play on Both Teams To Score could prove profitable.
Best Bets
Doncaster Rovers v Notts County – Notts County +0.25 Asian Handicap (24/23 BetVictor)
Tranmere Rovers v Walsall – Both Teams To Score (21/20 Coral)
