Home and Away: Vale have edge on out of sorts Burton

5Apr 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner picks two selections to end the week in style...

We're off to Staffordshire for our penultimate pick of the week - for a local derby, and a top of the table clash, as Port Vale host Burton Albion at the Burslem.

Mickey Adams' side sit second in League Two ahead of this clash, and will be keen to cement an automatic promotion place, with the end of the season in sight.

Vale corrected a blip in home form with a 3-2 victory against high-flying Cheltenham Town last week, and that makes three unbeaten for the hosts - who have notched at least two goals a game in that time.

With a three points gap on third placed Cheltenham, and a game in hand, the home side will be keen to take maximum points in this encounter in order to relieve some of the pressure being applied by the chasing pack.

Visitors Burton have enjoyed an impressive season, and line up for this clash sitting fifth in the table.

But the Brewers have not won in three games now, and boss Gary Rowett will be keen to correct that slump before it grows into something bigger.

Chesterfield put paid to the away sides incredible home form last week, which had seen them pick up nine straight wins in front of their own fans, and that has been the biggest contributor to their positive league position.

Just two wins from their last 12 on the road suggests that the Brewers may struggle in this clash, and they will be hoping to nullify the recent momentum of their hosts.

Bet 1: Port Vale (HOME) @ 2.16

Over to Belgium now for our final selection - as Club Brugge travel to Lokeren, looking to pick up their first win of the play-off stage of the season.

Juan Carlos Garrido's side have lost just one of their last seven on the road, and will be desperate to secure three points here in order to get their campaign back on track.

A 2-0 home loss to Standard Liege last time out leaves the Blauw-Zwart sitting bottom of the play-offs I mini league, and they will need to get maximum return from this clash if they are to keep their hopes of European qualification alive.

Three wins from their last four suggests that the Jan Breydelstadion side are more than capable of securing that result here, and a 2-1 defeat of Zulte-Waregem in their last one on the road indicates that Bruges will be full of confidence.

Hosts Lokeren sit fifth in the play-off positions following a draw in their opening game of this round, and that makes six stalemates from the last seven for Peter Maes' side.

That suggests that the Tricolores have lacked the cutting edge to grab the full three points of late, and just one win from seven on their own patch will have their fans crying out for a change in fortunes.

The last three games at the Daknamstadion have ended 1-1 - and just one clean sheet in seven outings on their own patch indicates that the home side have some weaknesses at the back.

Bet 2: Club Brugge (AWAY) @ 2.68