League Two: Chance for Bristol to cream victory

1Jan 2013

Ian Lamont says Bristol Rovers should give new manager John Ward his first victory, while the festive sweet box throws up a fourth away win running for Rotherham

Bristol Rovers 2.5 Plymouth 3.0 Draw 3.5 kick-off 13:00

The chances of Bristol Rovers winning appear more likely than the last time they achieved a victory, eight games ago, when they conjured three points against Chesterfield. At Aldershot on Boxing Day, their spirit saw them twice come from a goal down to earn this column a "home lay" success with a 2-2 draw. With that behind them they will fancy their chances in John Ward's first home game in charge against their 'derby' rivals. Confidence is still fragile, but they must take hope into the game, with Plymouth scoring just five times in eight games.

Argyle are, though, a tough nut to crack. They rarely feature in high-scoring games. They have conceded in six of the last seven games - but only once each time. Under 2.5 goals is therefore worth a wager, in addition to the home win.

Back Bristol Rovers @ 2.5

Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.94

Rochdale 2.96 Rotherham 2.54 Draw 3.5

The festive sweety tin appears to leave sparce pickings in terms of juicy big price away selections. Not one that will come off, anyway. For example Exeter might have won their last three away games but their overall form (one win in five) hardly warrants a bet against Wycombe's 13 points from six matches. Rochdale's respite from a defeat-strewn run of six defeats in nine in all competitions might be worth opposing, as the opposition are imposing Rotherham. It is true that Rochdale have scored four times in each of their two victories, coming in the past three games and that they have not been goalshy in the aforementioned defeats. Bobby Grant (11 goals this season), Terry Gornell (five in six) and Ashley Grimes (five in four) are all in form. However, Dale seem to need to score more than twice to take any points. The Millers have three straight away wins, all by one goal and two of them 1-0. Steve Evans' men will be well drilled to keep a tight grip on the forces that come their way and well up for it as he threatens to bring in reinforcements in January, with promotion paramount.

Back Rotherham @ 2.54

Barnet 2.54 Aldershot 3 The Draw 3.4

Aldershot have a strong record against the Bees at this time of year. However, I rarely give too much credit to 'yesteryear' statistics. Current season form offers greater context. Undoubtedly, Aldershot would have envisaged themselves kicking on from a mid-table finish last season, not grappling round the Football League's nether regions. But if they think they have a false position, the table never lies. They are in a relegation scrap. For all the unpredictable excellence of Danny Hylton, the skills of Peter Vincenti and the experience of Ben Herd and Anthony Tonkin, it took the loan signing of Dani Lopez to kick-start their season.

Dean Holdsworth always seems to have a squad in transition beset by injuries. The draw with Bristol Rovers seems to sum up their predicament: they draw with fellow strugglers, having previously done so with then-lowly Dagenham, Wycombe and Wimbledon. A total of 14 points from 13 games even compares unfavourably with Barnet (20 from 13). Another error-strewn draw beckons for the Shots.

Back the draw @ 3.4

Torquay 1.75 AFC Wimbledon 5.4 Draw 4.0

The Dons conceding 41 goals in 22 games makes Torquay an obvious choice for a victory. The Gulls' injury list might have eased. Saturday's postponement at Aldershot might have given Billy Bodin and Lee Mansell the chance to recover, but Torquay should still have enough to see off an AFC Wimbledon side short of confidence, even if Martin Ling will be looking to bolster his squad in the transfer window. Rene Howe is well overdue a goal, having notched 10 up to mid-October. It would be a major surprise if the visitors, who have two points from six games, could muster anything here.

Neal Ardley's rally cry for new recruits is eerily reminiscent of his doomed predecessor Terry Brown. Ardley will need a serious change in fortunes to keep the Dons out of the bottom two come May.

Back Torquay @ 1.75