League Two Betting: Northampton on a roll

9Mar 2013

Betfair

Ian Lamont looks for Ade Akinfenwa to add to his goal tally, but in addition to odds-on Northampton believes some big prices on away teams are worth backing...

Fleetwood 2.46 v Exeter 3.15; The draw 3.45

Paul Tisdale accused his side of lacking attacking intent as they lost 2-0 at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday. That trip, against a side with tails up, was always going to be a tough test of Exeter's excellent away form. The display was certainly below par by their standards, despite Danny Coles pointing to their good record in mid-week matches.

An early chance to make amends has them priced surprisingly large to win at Fleetwood, who are solid enough but who have one point and one goal from four games. Graham Alexander made five changes against Wycombe in a bid to reverse fortunes, but still saw his side allow their opponents to dictate.

The Grecians will not be allowed to brood on a defeat that saw them fail to score for the first time in 10 games. With automatic promotion still very much up for grabs, this is the time for Tisdale's men to stand and deliver. Likewise Jamie Cureton needs to start coming good on that aim of turning his 20 goals this season into 25.

Recommended bet:

Back Exeter @ 3.15

Northampton 1.8 v Accrington 4.9; The Draw 3.9

Despite having an allergy to short prices, Northampton's chances are hard to ignore. Aidy Boothroyd's team have accumulated the most points in 2013 (25 from 12) and have a terrific home record - The Cobblers have seven straight home wins, Opta emphasise.

The last two were over sides battling for safety, Plymouth and Bristol Rovers, both 1-0. The fact the goals came in the final quarter of those games offers a note of caution, but Ade Akinfenwa will be thinking he has a chance to add to his 16 goals this term, having bagged a hat-trick against Stanley earlier in the season.

Leam Richardson's men shocked everyone with a 3-0 win at Rotherham on their last away trip, but had not even scored in four games on their travels before that.

Recommended bet:

Back Northampton @ 1.8

Chesterfield 2.28 v Bristol Rovers 3.5; The Draw 3.5

At this time of the season the overall table can be misleading. Bristol Rovers might not have the greatest away record, but given the records in 2013 of these two, they surely have a far better chance of taking points here than the odds suggest.

Rovers have 20 points from 10 games, leading the form over that period. The Spireites, meanwhile, have 11 points from 10 matches and have scored once in five matches, Opta remind us. They sit just above Rovers in the League Two table. The odds should surely be much more even.

Earlier in the week, the visitors were 3.9, before John Ward's side showed observers that the form that helped them rise swiftly from the foot of the table still has some legs by beating Exeter 2-0, something the manager felt was the team's best result in his 14 games.

Going for the jugular of an away win, rather than a lay on the hosts, seems justified.

Recommended bet:

Back Bristol Rovers @ 3.5

Rochdale 2.38 v Wycombe 3.2; The Draw 3.45

Backing the teams in form is a knack most punters seek, but is always tricky given sport's fickle nature. Having clocked Wycombe's improvement under Gareth Ainsworth and their return to form with two wins after three defeats, it is clear the Chairboys have more to give.

Rochdale have just six points from 10 games and look to be meandering to an average end of season while Ainsworth's side have built confidence through a period of pressure, having climbed to comfortable mid-table safety from a precarious predicament a couple of months ago. The manager believes improved fitness since he took over is now paying dividends and the team, it seems, is a far happier one than their hosts.

Play-off talk is still off the agenda, and rightly so given the gap between eighth and seventh. But the building for next season starts now. Rochdale have lost four times after going ahead, a league high according to Opta, adding to the indications that a large price on the visitors is hard to ignore once again.

Recommended bet:

Back Wycombe @ 3.2