League Two: Pirates look to capture points

26Dec 2012

Aldershot might be improving, but a poor home record makes them vulnerable to Bristol Rovers who have a new manager to impress, while Cheltenham are poor value at home to Wycombe.

Aldershot 2.18 Bristol Rovers 3.7 Draw 3.5

There is always a stage in the season when the sides doing badly seem to perk up. John Ward had his firm game in charge postponed on Saturday against Rotherham and has had a much-needed extended period to work with his new players. On the one hand, he now has better shot at winning his first game, as host Aldershot have the division's joint worst home record with seven defeats and the absolute worst goals for record, having not even reached double figures.

However, Ward cannot escape the fact the Pirates have one win and a draw from 10 games and that Dean Holdsworth's men are on the upwards curve with two wins and two draws in six and feeling harshly done by losing 2-0 at Northampton, having conceded early and very late and creating chances for the likes of Danny Hylton. Rovers attacker Joe Anyinsah only expects good things with Ward in charge and they must pick up points quickly to escape the drop. Aldershot have won their last four Boxing Day games but, with Ward to impress, it could be worth laying the hosts, which covers the draw. A tight, low-scoring battle is on the cards.

Lay Aldershot @ 2.2

Back Under 2.5 goals @ 1.88

Fleetwood 2.0 Morecambe 4.1 Draw 3.5

Another manager who will be looking to win his first game - at the third attempt after two draws - is Fleetwood's Graham Alexander. A 2-2 draw at leaders Gillingham show there is little wrong with the squad Mickey Mellon built, even if they did surrender a two-goal lead. Striker Jon Parkin has not returned to the side yet, so there is more to come. Midfielder Junior Brown, who has nine goals, is proving the team is not about one man.

The turn of the year defines whether a promoted side doing well so far will be out-foxed and worked out by more experienced sides the second time around. Morecambe have the incentive, having been stung 4-0 in September, but the visitors have four points from five away games and a negative goal difference. Kevin Ellison remains a huge threat on his day, yet it is at the other end where there are problems, as the Shrimps have conceded in each of their last six league games, 10 times in total. I shall be adding over 2.5 goals to the home win.

Back Fleetwood to win @ 2.0

Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.06

AFC Wimbledon 2.8 Northampton 2.72 draw 3.55

Looking for a longer-priced wild card, Kingsmeadow seems the place. Jason Prior, prolific for Bognor and looking good for the Dons before breaking his leg last season, has returned to action for Neil Ardley's side, in the county cup. The south London club's strikeforce has seemingly always needed a boost and might well get it now Christian Jolley has returned from a loan at Newport, where he scored five times in four games. The hosts have scored three times in five games, conceding six. The Cobblers, overall, might not seem the best of travellers. But they have drawn two of the last four away, winning handsomely at Accrington in the process. A huge plus is that they have scored in all of their last 11 league and cup games, losing just twice. Ade Akinfenwa (13 goals) returning from suspension should be enough for Northampton to muscle a victory and continue what looks like a realistic surge of the play-offs.

Back Northampton to beat AFC Wimbledon @ 3.55

Cheltenham2.06 Wycombe 4.1 The Draw 3.6

Cheltenham might have a great home record, but they seem to have extended it with some low-scoring point takers in the past couple of months. Two 1-0 wins, over Barnet and Burton - not the greatest of sides - and a 1-1 draw with Port Vale, seem to leave them hanging on the ropes a little, especially as they have thrown in three defeats and a draw in five away trips to make a less than pretty overall points haul of seven points from six games. Cup action makes up for it. Wycombe have no such distractions and are positively blooming, scoring 12 goals in five unbeaten games to slip away from the discomfort zone. Joel Grant remains suspended, but Wycombe will be eyeing gaining at least a point here. Cheltenham are layably short.

Lay Cheltenham @ 2.06