Lays of the Weekend: Walsall to clip Robins' wings

8Mar 2013

Betfair

Following further success in last week's column, Christian Crowther is back with some more lay predictions, focussing on matters Football League...

Lay Swindon to beat Walsall @ 1.74

Not many could have predicted Paolo Di Canio walking out on Swindon with the club in prime position to push for a second consecutive promotion under his tenure. Then again, the Italian was never particularly predictable as a player. It's now been left to Kevin McDonald to pick up the pieces and the first thing the former Aston Villa caretaker boss must do if the Robins are to get up automatically is arrest their poor recent form at the County Ground. Swindon's shock defeat at home to relegation-threatened Bury made it three without a win at home and their task won't be any easier against Walsall. The Saddlers have almost forgotten what losing feels like having gone six unbeaten, winning four.

Lay Sheffield United to beat MK Dons @ 2.22

Like Swindon, nestled two points below second-placed Sheffield United before this round of fixtures, the Blades have displayed a tendency for bluntness at home. Hartlepool, Yeovil and Coventry have all secured wins at Bramall Lane since Christmas, and most recently Leyton Orient frustrated the home crowd by securing a 0-0 draw. Visitors MK Dons won the reverse fixture earlier in the season and enter this one on a four-match unbeaten run. The Bedfordshire outfit have turned into away draw specialists too, securing three on the spin before travelling to Yorkshire. They also spanked league leaders Doncaster 3-0 on Tuesday.

Lay Chesterfield to beat Bristol Rovers @ 2.18

This fixture throws together two sides separated by just a couple of points as Bristol Rovers make the trip up to Chesterfield with the Spireites sitting one place above them in 14th. However, the form guide suggests the home side are vulnerable to a Pirates team on the plunder in League Two. Rovers arrive fresh from striking a blow to Exeter's automatic promotion hopes following a 2-0 win over the Grecians on Wednesday, their second win in a row against sides currently occupying play-off spots. Conversely, Chesterfield haven't triumphed on home soil for two straight games and find themselves slipping downwards following three defeats in their last five, scoring only once in that period.