Cheltenham Town FC

Southend United v Burton Albion

 

Southend are without the suspended Jerome Binnom-Williams but Adam Thompson returns from a ban and is a 12/1 chance to mark his return by scoring at any time in this Friday evening match. Their top scorer this season Jack Payne is a 6/1 chance to net the first goal of the game. The Shrimpers, 11/10 favourites to win here with League sponsors Sky Bet, won both encounters against Burton last season by a 1-0 scoreline and it’s an 11/2 chance for that to be the final score again. Burton bashed Hartlepool by a confidence-boosting 4-0 last weekend and that win can only have done good, but Southend were in good form until going down at Wycombe and remain a tough side to get on top of at home.

 

Top tip: Both teams to score at 5/6.

 

Tranmere Rovers v Cambridge United

 

Friday night’s match is the 23rd time that the two clubs have met in their history, with Cambridge winning nine times against the home side’s seven. However, it is Tranmere who are preferred here by Sky Bet as 13/10 favourites, and they come into the match unbeaten in their last five including a 2-1 success over Oxford in the second round of the FA Cup last weekend. Both sides don’t seem to have much trouble finding the net, so over 2.5 goals at 11/10 and both teams to score at 5/6 both make some appeal here. Cambridge top scorer Kwesi Appiah is 11/2 to score the first goal of the game, while Cole Stockton is shortest priced for the home team in the same market at the same odds.

 

Top tip: Over 3.5 goals at 11/4.

 

AFC Wimbledon v Mansfield Town

 

Matt Tubbs tops the League 2 goalscoring charts this season and the AFC Wimbledon is an understandable 4/1 favourite to find the net first in this match. His side are 11/10 favourites with the League Two sponsors to win, with visitors Mansfield 13/5 and the draw on offer at 23/10. Only one goal was scored across both games when these two sides met in the League last season, but it’s hard to predict who might come out on top here given that both come into the contest with inconsistent recent form. With only one side in the division having scored fewer goals than Mansfield this season, a low-scoring encounter looks on the cards, whichever direction the points ultimately go.

 

Top Tip: Under 2.5 goals at 8/11.

 

Accrington Stanley v Wycombe Wanderers

 

Sky Bet League 2 leaders Wycombe go for a fifth away victory in a row when they travel to Accrington on Saturday. The Chairboys have been made the 13/10 favourites to pick up the win, Accrington can be backed at 19/10 and the draw is available at 5/2. Stanley are strong at home though with four wins, one draw and one defeat the record from their previous six matches at the Store First Stadium. Wycombe striker Paul Hayes is the 9/2 favourite in the first goalscorer betting with Kai Naismith and James Gray the top two Accrington contenders at 13/2. Both teams have scored in five of Accrington’s last six matches and eight of Wycombe’s last nine contests. Getting with both teams to score this weekend at 8/13 has to be worth a shout.

 

Top tip: Both teams to score at 8/13

 

Bury v York City

 

Bury are desperate for victory when they host York on Saturday in a bid to end a seven-match winless run. The Shakers have lost six of those games but still find themselves as odds-on favourites at 19/20 to secure three points at the JD Stadium. York can be backed at 14/5 for the victory and the draw can be found at 5/2. Bury team-mates Ryan Lowe and Danny Nardiello can’t be split at the top of the first goalscorer betting. Both of the forwards are priced up at 9/2. Wes Fletcher is the first York option at 13/2. York have scored the final goal in their previous three matches and can be backed at 6/4 to complete the scoring on Saturday.

 

Top tip: York to score the final goal of the match at 6/4.

 

Carlisle United v Northampton Town

 

Carlisle are 7/5 favourites to defeat Northampton on Saturday. The visiting Cobblers can be backed at 9/5 and the draw is priced up at 23/10. Keith Curle’s Cumbrians are hit and miss at home with two wins and two defeats the record from the last four matches at Brunton Park. Northampton have only picked up one win in their previous seven outings so three points at the weekend would be most welcome ahead of the busy festive schedule. Derek Asamoah has scored in three of Carlisle’s last four home games so it’s no surprise he’s the top home player in the first goalscorer betting at 5/1. Northampton forward Marc Richards heads the market at 9/2.

 

Top tip: Derek Asamoah to score first at 5/1.

 

 

Cheltenham Town v Portsmouth

 

Cheltenham are 6/4 favourites to claim their first win under the management of Paul Buckle when they host Portsmouth on Saturday. Visitors Pompey are the outsiders at 7/4 to pick up the three points and the draw is available at 23/10. Cheltenham are without a win in Sky Bet League 2 since October 21 and former boss Mark Yates has departed during this run of poor form. The visit of Portsmouth though provides a good chance for the Robins to get a much-needed victory. Pompey haven’t won away from home since September 2 but that run does include two 0-0 draws. It could be a close contest between two sides who need the points at the Abbey Business Stadium.

 

Top tip: A 0-0 draw at 9/1.

 

Hartlepool United v Oxford United

 

New Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore sees his side priced at 13/5 with Sky Bet to start his reign off with three points at home to Oxford. The visiting U’s can be supported at 11/10 for the win and the draw can be backed at 23/10. Moore faces a tough task to get bottom-of-the-table Pools going again with his arrival coming on the back of five defeats in a row. Oxford travel north after suffering their first defeat in seven matches on Tuesday night when they exited the FA Cup at the hands of Tranmere. Both teams have scored in Oxford’s last four games and three of Hartlepool’s previous four contests. You can get 5/6 for both teams to score on Saturday.

 

Top tip: Both teams to score at 5/6

 

Luton Town v Newport County

 

There is a cracking contest in store at Kenilworth Road on Saturday as fourth in Sky Bet League 2 meets sixth. Hosts Luton are the 23/20 favourites for victory, Newport can be backed at 12/5 and the draw is available at 23/10. Luton are on an inconsistent run of form with two wins, two defeats and a draw from their last five games but Newport are one of the division’s form sides with three victories on the spin. Newport visited Luton in the first round of the FA Cup back at the start of November and that game ended in a 4-2 victory to the Hatters. County’s next two away games also produced goals as they won 3-1 at Bury and 3-2 at Carlisle. Over 3.5 goals provides a strong option on Saturday at 5/2.

 

Top tip: Over 3.5 goals at 9/2.

 

Plymouth Argyle v Dagenham and Redbridge

 

Plymouth are the odds-on favourites at 8/13 to beat Dagenham in Sky Bet League 2 on Saturday. The Daggers are the 4/1 outsiders for the three points and the draw can be found at 14/5 with the Football League’s sponsors. Plymouth returned to winning ways last weekend with a 3-2 victory at Northampton after the play-off dwellers had previously endured three matches without a victory. Dagenham’s mini-revival of two wins in a row was ended in their previous contest when resurgent Tranmere picked up a 1-0 success. There have been under 2.5 goals in five of the Daggers’ last six contests and 5/6 is the price for under 2.5 goals at Home Park.

 

Top tip: Under 2.5 goals at 5/6

 

Shrewsbury Town v Morecambe

 

Shrewsbury will be looking for three points at home to Morecambe on Saturday to retain their position in the Sky Bet League 2 automatic promotion places. The Shrews are the heavy odds-on favourites at 4/9 for the victory with Morecambe all the way out at 6/1. The draw can be backed at 100/30. Shrewsbury have won seven of their eight previous home games and the only defeat came against Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea in the Capital One Cup. James Collins of Shrewsbury is the 7/2 favourite to score first, while Kevin Ellison is the top Morecambe contender at 8/1. Ellison netted in the 3-0 victory over Luton last weekend so that’s a price that is worth some interest.

 

Top tip: Kevin Ellison to score first at 8/1

 

Stevenage v Exeter City

 

Stevenage are the 7/5 favourites for victory at home to Exeter on Saturday. The visitors can be supported at 9/5 and the draw is available at 12/5. Stevenage are on a four-match winless run but their home record is good with only one defeat suffered in their last eight games at the Lamex Stadium. Exeter have been on the charge after waiting nine games for their first win of the season and now sit in the Sky Bet League 2 play-off places. The only defeat in their last 10 matches was the shock 1-0 loss at non-league Warrington in the first round of the FA Cup. Exeter have scored three goals in two of their last four contests and 8/1 for the Grecians to score exactly three goals this weekend is an interesting shout.

 

Top tip: Exeter to score exactly three goals at 8/1.

 

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