League One Betting: Ronnie's Rovers to bounce back in Friday's live TV clash

15Feb 2013

Betfair

Prenton Park host the Sky TV cameras on Friday night, as Tranmere Rovers look to return to winning ways against Shrewsbury. Elsewhere, Alan Dudman believes striker Steve Howard could make a difference to Hartlepool's chances against Leyton Orient this Saturday.

Tranmere Rovers 1.91 v Shrewsbury Town 5.0, the draw 3.65

Friday 19:45 BST, Live on Sky Sports 2

Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore's reaction to Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient was to describe his side as having a 'soft centre'. The early season pace-setters are now in a mini-wobble, having suffered three defeats from their last four.

Rovers are looking a bit more nervous than earlier in the season, and they need to recapture their flying counter- attacking form from a few months ago. That's when they are at their best, by using their pace out wide and getting balls into the box. Moore mentioned over the weekend they might have to revert to doing the simple things - which means being tighter - as they have kept just one clean sheet in their last five games.

The home team need to start better too, as their last two matches has seen too much lethargy. And their defending from set-pieces against the O's at the weekend was poor.

Opta stats reveal however, that Tranmere are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Shrewsbury in all competitions, and I do think they are the likeliest winners.

Shrewsbury finally got themselves a striker, with Chris Porter arriving on loan from Sheffield United. He is essentially a hold-up forward to bring others in to play, something they have been desperately lacking. Goals appear to be a problem, and they have scored just five in eight matches since Boxing Day. They conceded twice in defeat to Sheffield United at the weekend, and offered very little in the game.

The correct score strategy presents a chance to play the 0-0 and 1-1 up to the break, as I am struggling to see many goals in this with Tranmere looking edgy, and against a side who don't score many.

The visitors might hand a start to Porter and play him in a 4-4-2 with Marvin Morgan (who faces a fitness test). The Shrews are also sweating on the availability of winger John Taylor.

Recommended bets:

Back Tranmere to win @ 1.91

Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.90

Back Tranmere to win @ 1-0 @ 7.20

Walsall 2.22 v Notts County 3.40, the draw 3.55

Notts County are seeking their seventh manager in just over two-and-a-half years, following the recent sacking of Keith Curle. Earlier in the season they were doing quite well under the former Manchester City defender, and his record of 11 defeats in 49 league games was deemed not good enough. It's no wonder star midfielder Alan Judge's reaction was to say he is 'sick of the upheaval'.

Chris Kiwomya is currently the caretaker boss, and has been mentioned as a possibility for the full-time role. He has at least recognised the Magpies' problem of lacking some firepower, by bringing in loan signings Jacob Blyth (Leicester City), and John Cofie (Manchester United). The latter scored on Saturday against Crewe in a really entertaining game.

County were all over the place in the first-half of that encounter, and Kiwomya got the tactics wrong with a negative 4-5-1, sitting too deep. They also looked rather disorganised. However, the switch to a 4-4-2 transformed County and they produced plenty of attacking surges. I mentioned Judge earlier, he's a terrific player with a good line in long-range strikes.

Walsall meanwhile are flying under the radar as unlikely play-off contenders. Manager Dean Smith has guided them to ninth with an astonishing run of eight wins from their last 10. Their current position would have been highly unlikely earlier in the season, having gone 16 matches without a win.

The Saddlers have a bit of style and swagger, and can hit teams with pace and flair. They produced a marvellous second-half display on Saturday to beat promotion chasing Doncaster 2-1, with striker Febian Brandy notching his fifth in eight games. I also liked full-back Andy Taylor's delivery throughout the game.

Smith's side have won seven of their 16 matches at home this term, but have conceded nearly as many as they have scored. However, such is the way they can stretch a defence, it should make for a good overs game if County go for the more attacking 4-4-2.

Recommended bets:

Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.0

Back Walsall to win @ 2.22

Hartlepool United 3.20 v Leyton Orient 2.46, the draw 3.40

I thought Hartlepool looked a decent bet in midweek against Portsmouth, a game which finished 0-0. Pools done enough to earn the points for me, they missed a good number of chances and lacked a bit of magic and a killer touch. On the plus side, they are now four unbeaten and claimed a clean sheet.

Crucially in the Pompey game, Hartlepool got in lots of crosses, all of which the Pompey back line ate up. Veteran forward Steve Howard should be fit for this weekend, and the 36-year-old is just what they need. He would have made the difference on Tuesday, and might do so this Saturday, as he'll attack anything inside the six-yard box.

Orient have been inconsistent on their travels, wining six and losing seven. They have scored 21 goals away from Brisbane Road this term and are making a push for the play-offs. They were very good going forward against Tranmere on Saturday, but that was at home, and they need to back a performance up.

Opta stats show the O's have netted exactly one goal in each of their last six league clashes with Pools and I would be surprised if they were to score twice against a side that seem to be defending better.

Recommended bets:

Back 0-0 @ 12.0 and 1-1 @ 7.0

Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.90

Yeovil Town 2.16 v Scunthorpe United 3.75, the draw 3.50

Once again the layers have got Yeovil's price wrong, and anything odds-against should be taken. The Glovers have won their last seven, and came from behind in midweek to beat Preston 3-1 - ultimately costing Graham Westley his job at Deepdale. There is absolutely no reason why they should be ignored again at such a good price.

Recommended bet:

Back Yeovil @ 2.16