Cherries looking sweet this afternoon

29Dec 2012

Jonno Turner picks sides from the bottom three divisions as he goes in search of another multiple success to end 2012 with a bang.

We're off to the South Coast for our first pick of this acca - and AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to extend their excellent form with another victory against Crawley Town.

The Cherries have been fantastic since the return of Eddie Howe as boss, and have won their last four consecutive games going into this tie - a run which has lifted them to the fringes of the League One play-off places.

And the hosts could move into the top six if they can claim maximum points in this one - to make it 15 games unbeaten in all competitions.

Seven wins and a draw from their last eight on their own patch makes Bournemouth one of the most formidable sides in the division, and 19 goals scored in that time shows just how dominant Howe's side have been.

But, typical of an ex-centre half, he has not let the defensive side of his team become complacent - and the home rearguard has shipped just four goals in eight outings in front of their own fans.

Crawley travel south having failed to win in three of their last five on the road in the league, and they will be keen to arrest that slump here.

The visitors are also eyeing the play-off places, but have played a game more than their opponents, and the pressure will be on them to take something from this game.

But Richie Barker's side have kept just one clean sheet in six games, and that could be their downfall as they face a Bournemouth side full of momentum and vigour today.

Bet 1: Bournemouth (HOME) @ 1.7

Moving up a division to the Championship next - and Tony Mowbray's Middlesbrough side, who have been attracting attention recently for their consistent performances, welcome Blackpool to the Riverside.

The Teesiders, who sit third in the second tier, have won their last three in front of their own fans, chalking up three clean sheets in the process.

And in the bigger picture, that makes 12 unbeaten from their last 14 on their own patch, a cracking record by anyones standards.

Ten goals in their last five at the Riverside shows that Boro aren't lacking in attacking quality either, and I think that could have a major bearing on the outcome of this clash.

Blackpool have won just one from four away from Bloomfield Road, and will be keen to secure their first victory in three games here.

Consistency has been an issue for the Seasiders, and they have won just two from nine ahead of this tie, which suggests that they have been playing inside themselves somewhat.

And just one clean sheet since early November points to a weakness in the Tangerine defence which could provide Boro with the all important breakthrough here.

Bet 2: Middlesbrough (HOME) @ 2.3

We're off to North Derbyshire for our final pick of the day - and Chesterfield host Morecambe at the Proact Stadium, buoyed by an impressive Boxing Day win over York.

The Spireites dismantled their opponents 3-0 on the 26th, and that moves Paul Cook's side to within a whisker of the play-off places as we approach the New Year.

Five unbeaten on their own patch - made up of four wins and a draw - will be pleasing to the gaffer, as this was a side which failed to make home advantage count before his arrival.

And 16 goals scored in that time suggests that the hosts are more than capable of hurting their opponents, even following the sale of Jordan Bowery to Aston Villa a couple of months ago.

Morecambe travel south having failed to win in four outings - and have lost four of their last five on the road.

Jim Bentley's side will be keen to engineer a turnaround in their fortunes, but just one clean sheet in 11 games away from home suggests that they are likely to present their hosts with a chance or two this afternoon - and that could prove deadly.

The visitors currently sit in 17th place - and are in no immediate danger of being caught by the bottom two, as their eight point margin gives them breathing space, but even so - Bentley will be desperate for his side to put in a positive performance here.

The home side will be desperate for another three points ahead of two tricky trips to Accrington and Wycombe - and I'm backing them to claim maximum points here.

Bet 3: Chesterfield (HOME) @ 1.85