League One Betting: Cherries too tempting against Crawley

29Dec 2012

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth are looking to extend their superb unbeaten run to 15 this Saturday, as Alan Dudman looks at the latest round of Christmas fixtures. And can Hartlepool's shot-shy strikers find the net at table toppers Sheffield United?

Bournemouth 1.86 v Crawley Town 4.80, the draw 3.70

The unbeaten run for Bournemouth under Eddie Howe continues, with the tally standing at 14 without defeat going into this weekend's second festive instalment. The Cherries are still available to back at 7.80 in the League One winner market, and they are hunting down the pacesetters.

Boxing Day's 3-0 beating to Yeovil showed their credentials as a title winning side - in particular the second-half performance. Although they were a bit nervy at 1-0, the open second period suited their flowing style much better. Teams will head to Dean Court and look to shut up shop, and Yeovil at times looked fairly dangerous on the break.

Front man Lewis Grabban has hit seven goals in seven games and has epitomised everything good about the team under Howe, as Grabban chases everything whilst stretching defenders by getting behind them. Brett Pitman also bagged a goal on Wednesday, and his finishing is a major asset in this division.

The hosts line up 4-4-2 and have kept clean sheets in their last two games. I think Crawley might try and be tight early, which should present a trade on clean sheet correct scorelines for the hosts.

Town came from behind for their Christmas 2-1 win at Portsmouth, and looked good on the counter attack. Their midfield 'two' controlled Pompey's midfield 'three' on that occasion and played some good football in difficult conditions.

It will be a stern test for Bournemouth, as Eddie Howe said: "they have some good strong players and it

will be a good examination." And I think they are strong enough to come through it.

Recommended bets:

Back Bournemouth to win @ 1.86

Back HT draw @ 2.20

Colchester United 4.0 v Swindon Town 1.95, the draw 3.65

The only way is down at the moment for Colchester, and the relegation odds of 1.50 have plummeted due to a wretched run of form under new boss Joe Dunne. Wednesday's 3-1 home loss to Brentford was their sixth defeat on the spin, and the Essex boys are in a dangerous position - 20th in the league.

Dunne described them as having a mental block this week, whilst the desire of certain players can also be called into question. Dunne tried to adopt a passing game when he landed the job, but after some good results, they were carved open for fun, and they look a side too fragile at the moment.

They played OK against Brentford, and they do have some pace out wide. On the plus side Drey Wright made an impressive full debut and notched a superb goal.

However, Swindon are looking formidable at the moment and will be fresher as their Boxing Day fixture was postponed. Manager Paolo Di Canio has once again aired some outspoken views, but we are all used to that by now. I loved Di Canio as player (being a West Ham fan), and I love him as a boss.

The Robins tore Tranmere to shreds in their last game 5-0, described by many as their most complete performance under the maverick Italian. It was a stunning display of free-flowing football, and any replication of that would make Swindon an excellent bet at 1.94.

Their away record is good too, losing just three on their travels. Whilst their defence is proving to be scrooge-like recently - having conceded just four goals in their last eight League One matches.

Recommended bets:

Back Swindon to win @ 1.87

Sheffield United 1.35 v Hartlepool United 11.0, the draw 5.60

Top meets bottom this weekend, and top should beat bottom easily. Sheffield United have yet to lose at Bramall Lane, and have accrued 46 points this season already. Hartlepool haven't, and need some divine inspiration. They are 14 points away from safety, hold a minus 28 goal difference and have lost five of their six games under new boss John Hughes.

Their (Pools) Boxing Day hammering at Carlisle showed again their chronic lack of confidence, and in front of goal they are one of the most impotent in the league, having failed to hit the net in their last three matches. They need Pele.

It really should be straightforward for the Blades, but at 1.35 I have hardly invented the wheel. United picked up a 3-0 win over Christmas against Scunthorpe and passed the ball around for fun. Unfortunately injuries were sustained to their key duo Shaun Miller and Neill Collins.

However Danny Wilson's side have kept clean sheets in their last three, which should make for some fairly confident attempts at correct scorelines involving United keeping out Hartlepool. The visitors have also conceded first-half goals in four of their last five games - which should hopefully make more appeal than the long odds-on outright.

Recommended bets:

Back Sheffield United HT/FT @ 1.93

Back Half Time Sheffield United @ 1.75

Shrewsbury Town 3.80 v Brentford 2.40, the draw 3.55

Brentford have won their last five league matches and looked good in their 3-1 victory at Colchester on Boxing Day, with another late goal (on 85 minutes), to make it their eleventh late strike of the season. I mentioned for that game about using In-Play markets for those last ten minutes, and their fitness levels always give you a chance - whether you are a layer or a backer.

The Londoners are unbeaten in 10 and have goals in them, whilst Shrewsbury are the masters of the 2-2 scoreline. They have collected six of them this term, including that status quo in three of their last four matches.

The over 2.5 goals are tempting, but the Londoners are in such good form at the moment, they are the ones to side with.

Recommended bets:

Back Brentford to win @ 2.16