A quartet of English football selections

12Jan 2013

Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection each from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Fixed Odds Multiple option...

Sunderland 2.37 v West Ham 3.0; The Draw 3.25

West Ham strikers Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole have grabbed just three goals between them and top scorer Kevin Nolan hasn't netted for two months ago, so it is unsurprising that they have the Premier League's most impotent travelling attack.

The Irons have struck just five times in nine away games, firing blanks in the latest three, while Sunderland aren't exactly prolific at home, with only 11 goals managed in 10 league fixtures at the Stadium of Light.

Four of the last six league meetings between the clubs have delivered two goals or fewer and one of the exceptions - a 3-0 Sunderland away win in May 2011 - is easily explained. It occurred a week after West Ham were relegated and Avram Grant sacked, their managerless side folding without a fight. Defensive gifts are far rarer under Sam Allardyce's watch.

Michael Lintorn's selection: Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.7

Bristol City 4.75 v Leicester 1.7; The Draw 3.6

The Foxes are up to fifth in the table and crucially for them are starting to get their act together away from home. Nigel Pearson's men have conceded just two goals in their last six away games but on the flip side they've scored just three. Leicester won't get a better opportunity to score a few away goals than a trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City.

The Robins have won just three home games all season and conceded an alarming 29 goals in 12 games - that's an average of just under 2.5 per game. If that trend continues, and Leicester are as strong defensively as they have been recently, then this game should have a straightforward outcome.

Mike Norman's selection: Back Leicester to win @ 1.7

Shrewsbury Town 1.66 v Hartlepool United 4.5; The Draw 3.4

It's still taking me time to get over the shock of Hartlepool's away win at Sheffield United over Christmas. That was their sole League One victory away from home this season, and I was against them scoring at all (and they bagged three). That was a freak result, and surely we can rely on Shrewsbury to be nice and strong here.

The angle of attack is based on Hartlepool and their stats from Opta. They have conceded in each of their last 22 games. This is a great platform for a bet. Do I think Shrewsbury can score at least one? And can the hosts keep a clean sheet? The answer would be yes to both.

Shrewsbury are ultra-strong defensively at the moment. Their last three games have been under 2.5 goals (all clean sheets), and they have yet to concede a goal in 315 minutes of football. They are much harder team to beat nowadays, and they seem to be having more luck than they enjoyed at the start of the campaign.

Shrewsbury kept out Scunthorpe recently in a clash that was garbage for 80 minutes, but crucially it was 0-0. They also kept out in-form Coventry and are unbeaten in their last seven.

I expect Hartlepool to be direct and look for the physical presence of Steve Howard up front. Pools resorted to slinging the ball into Howard in the Sheffield United game, and it worked a treat. Shrewsbury should be up to dealing with that, and look a decent bet this weekend.

Alan Dudman's selection: Back Shrewsbury to win @ 1.66

Rotherham 1.44 v Barnet 7.0; The Draw 3.7

Steve Evans will not be too unhappy that Rotherham are out of the FA Cup after a reversal of form defeat at Aldershot as his team concentrate on promotion. The Millers boss has been busy strengthening, adding Peterborough winger Danny Kearns on loan to extending the loan period of another winger Courtney Cameron (Aston Villa). Lee Frecklington recently turned a loan deal into a permanent one and looks a physical handful for opponents as he wrestles defenders. The Millers will be without suspended Kari Arnason, a midfielder filling in at centre-back, but have experienced Ian Sharps in reserve.

Barnet have had some great results recently, but even young striker Jake Hyde, who struck the only goal to beat Gillingham on Boxing Day, and Ricky Holmes will struggle to get change out of the home defence. Rotherham and Evans are under pressure for promotion. Nothing less than three points will do.

Ian Lamont's selection: Back Rotherham to win @ 1.44

Recommended Multiple

Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.7 in Sunderland v West Ham; Back Leicester @ 1.7; Back Shrewsbury @ 1.66; Back Rotherham @ 1.44; The Multiple pays approximately 7.0