League Two Betting: Exeter must take down Stanley

15Feb 2013

Betfair

Ian Lamont says back Exeter to get the weekend off to a winning start on Friday night and then takes Bristol Rovers to notch another win on Saturday...

Friday, 19:45

Exeter 1.75 v Accrington 5.2; Draw 4.0

Much as I don't like backing odds-on on a Friday night, Exeter really must take the chance of a frustratingly rare home victory here. One of the best away records in the division has not been matched at St James' Park, where they have only five wins and just one in the last eight at home, Opta emphasise. They made an audacious bid to wear their away kit for this match in a cheeky effort to kid themselves they are away, but that was refused by the Football League. The Grecians remain in with a shot of automatic promotion but must keep the pressure up on others by winning the day before their rivals play.

Striker Alan Gow has been added to the home side's injury list but Jamie Cureton returned to scoring with a couple against Morecambe. The struggling visitors picked up just their second point in five games last weekend, scoring their first goal in that time. The last point was an away one at Plymouth, but the Grecians really ought to provide a stiffer test.

Recommended Bet:

Back Exeter @ 1.75

Saturday, 15:00 kick-offs

York 2.08 v Barnet 3.95; Draw 3.65

There is an argument to go right through the "card" this weekend putting in home wins. However, York would be one place where I would oppose it by laying the hosts, especially at the price.

The Minterstermen are teetering on the cusp of the relegation scrap after a seven-game winless run. Four draws at least show some resilience, but they have just four goals too, while conceding 14. They were much improved against Gillingham in midweek and captain Chris Smith could well return at centre-back after injury, fortunately, as Jon Challinor suffered a broken leg.

Opposing them, however, is very much about Barnet. They are certainly on the upward climb under Edgar Davids although lately they too have shown a shyness in front of goal. Again, their last performance, against high-flying opponents, was encouraging - a goalless draw at home to Port Vale. They now need to find the springboard that brought them victories at Rotherham and Gillingham in recent weeks.

Their position in the bottom four is more desperate than York's. That will give them more urgency. John Oster says they must raise their game against the lower-ranked sides and here is their chance to start, having had three clean sheets in five matches. York have been involved in six 0-0 draws, more than any other League Two club, Opta point out. A repeat of that correct score is 10.5. Laying the hosts covers the draw.

Recommended Bet:

Lay York @ 2.08

Bristol Rovers 2.3 v Wycombe 3.4; Draw 3.55

There are very few occasions where I have wanted to oppose Wycombe in recent weeks, but I feel this is one of them. This is only because John Ward's men are on such a good roll of one defeat in eight games and five wins. Perhaps only becoming manager of the month for January would spoil the momentum, but Ward is now looking at the relative safety of climbing out of the bottom six. The Pirates have scored in all but one of Ward's eight games and have conceded just three times in five games.

It seems a long time since Wycombe were, themselves, gasping for air at the pool of relegation and in 14 games since their last back-to-back defeats they have only suffered three reverses, taking nine wins. They have also had a number of clean sheets, three in the past five games, so this fixture might just about buck expectations and deliver under 2.5 goals, priced 2.08.

Recommended Bets:

Back Bristol Rovers to win @ 2.3

Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.08

Fleetwood 2.04 v Burton 4.0; Draw 3.6

Burton continue to press for automatic promotion despite having an appalling away record compared to their home form. Cheltenham and Northampton are no different. The Brewers do seem intent on using the confidence from their overall good form to enhance that bad statistic though, having drawn their last two away from the Pirelli to give them three points from six away games. Opta's revelation that Gary Rowett's side only hit the target with 41.03 per cent of their shots suggests they can up their game with a little more composure.

With many players returning and Ian Sharps, on loan from Rotherham, pressing for a place, Rowett has plenty of ammunition at his disposal. Overall, they only have one defeat in six and have conceded just four times in that period. Fleetwood are equally in form and despite Ryan Crowther joining Jon Parkin in the scoring stakes they might just find the Brewers determined enough to get a draw.

Recommended Bet:

Lay Fleetwood @ 2.04