League One Betting: Are Orient too short this Saturday?

20Apr 2013

Betfair

Can Leyton Orient make the play-offs? Alan Dudman is not quite convinced as the Londoners tackle Coventry this weekend. And with Dudman in a laying mood, Oldham Athletic might be vulnerable on home soil against Crawley.

Coventry City 2.90 v Leyton Orient 2.65, the draw 3.40

Leyton Orient are still in with a shot of the play-offs, but they need to address their recent away form of just one victory from their last seven matches. And with time running out, this really needs to be a must-win game.

Two late goals secured Orient's latest success over the MK Dons, with effectively two sucker punches against the Buckinghamshire side. There was no question of an undeserved three points, but the Dons have put in some tremendous efforts recently and perhaps they were tired after those previous exertions.

Opta stats favour the hosts in a historical view, as Coventry are unbeaten against the Londoners in their last six meetings - although that is misleading - prior to their match earlier this season - their previous encounters were before 1966.

The Sky Blues are inconsistent and new manager Steven Pressley has recently been trying different things in his quest to shape the Midlanders for next season. Pressley has already warned that his squad of 34 players is way too big, and some of the senior men could be out in the summer.

City lost 4-0 at Walsall recently, whilst they were fairly timid against Crawley on Saturday in losing 2-0. I do think Orient however are too short, and like so many games at the end of the season, the side who has something to play for will be shorter than they should be.

Recommended bet:

Lay Leyton Orient @ 2.64

Walsall 1.54 v Bury 7.00, the draw 4.20

Bury have nothing to play for as they are already relegated, and they picked up a meaningless victory over Scunthorpe on Tuesday night. However, there was no pressure on them and yet addressed a run of three successive defeats.

The Shakers are short on finances and quality, with manager Kevin Blackwell having to fight the majority of the campaign with a depleted squad. They have also failed to score in three of their last five games.

Walsall meanwhile are going great guns and are currently on a run of 14 matches without defeat - which according to Opta stats is the longest unbeaten run in the league. This staggering sequence has taken the Saddlers to the cusp of the play-offs, with manager Dean Smith moulding a very exciting free-flowing team.

Defensively the Midlanders have conceded just two goals from their last five outings yet attack at will. I loved their performance against Sheffield United ( finished 1-1), as they really went for it and were not intimidated by the bigger Yorkshire club.

I rate the hosts having plenty of chances and they'll pour forward. Although Bury have nothing to play for, a wounded side can be dangerous, but Walsall have the better players and should justify their price. There is even a market up on the over 5.5 goals - trading at 9.0.

Recommended bets:

Back Walsall to win 3-0 @ 8.80

Oldham Athletic 2.40 v Crawley Town 3.25, the draw 3.40

Oldham have won their last two games 1-0 and probably need a point to keep themselves in the division. To achieve back-to-back victories is no mean feat, and new manager Lee Johnson got one over his Dad (Gary) on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over play-off contenders Yeovil.

That game featured the long ball to beanpole striker Matt Smith for the majority of 90 minutes. Smith is out of contract in the summer and is likely to be playing at a higher level next term, but the 24-year-old is a key member for their survival. The Latics have looked committed recently, whilst their last three games have all been under 2.5 goals.

Crawley have an outside chance of making the play-offs and are in a good run with three clean sheets from four matches and two fantastic wins against Sheffield United and Coventry. The latter success was a good tactical game for manager Richie Barker - who stopped the Sky Blues playing completely.

Town are a good passing side that have been winning games differently recently. It will be interesting to see how they play on a poor pitch at Boundary Park, and I think they are worth taking on a chance on this Saturday.

Recommended bets:

Lay Oldham Athletic @ 2.40

Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.89

Back 0-0 @ 10.0