Midweek League One Betting: Goals in store between Tranmere and County

26Feb 2013

Betfair

With a full set of midweek fixtures this Tuesday, our man Alan Dudman runs the rule over former league-leaders Tranmere Rovers, and the relegation fighters Hartlepool United, in the best bets of the week.

Tranmere Rovers 2.42 v Notts County 3.25, draw 3.45

Two points separate the top six, and Tranmere are still holding their position at the top end of the table. Their recent wobble of four losses were forgotten on Saturday following their 5-1 blitz job on Colchester, admittedly the Essex team were woeful, but Rovers got their mojo back.

I am hoping for goals in this game, as the Liverpudlians have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven matches (conceding 11), and three of their last four outings have been over 2.5 goals.

Tranmere were a great attacking counter-attacking team earlier in the season, and it's a positive that

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro has returned to the side. However, new signing Mamady Sidibe (who impressed on his debut against Colchester) is out with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile at Notts County, Chris Kiwomya has been handed the manager role until the end of the season. Quite how long he will last in that hotseat is anyone's guess given their record, but the former Arsenal forward gained his first win as boss on Friday, with a 4-1 victory over Bury.

Bury were awful that night, even I would have fancied my chances against some comical defending. The Magpies again showed a knack for a better second-half display, and scored all four against the Shakers in a barmy 45 minutes.

Under Kiwomya, they have had a habit of starting slowly and perhaps being a bit too negative. An early goal from Tranmere should be able to set up a go at the overs.

Recommended bet:

Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.14

Colchester United 3.25 v Yeovil Town 2.40, the draw 3.50

Hot Chocolate belted out 'So You Win Again', which really ought to be the theme tune for Yeovil, who have won eight of their last nine games. I was up for laying their opponents on Saturday (Doncaster), and so it proved correct in the 1-1 draw, but Erroll Brown never once sang a song about drawing at the Keepmoat so I might have to ditch that analogy for now.

It's a case of how much more we can squeeze out of the men from Huish Park. They haven't got the biggest squad, and they did fade in the Donny game. But I will take the positives, as they were up against a play-off contender on a really poor pitch - something that would not have suited.

Striker Paddy Madden has 19 for the season, and broke a club 50-year-old record on Saturday by netting in his eighth successive game. Manager Gary Johnson however has injury doubts to captain Jamie McAllister and striker James Hayter.

Colchester try to pass the ball, but have been more defense-minded against the higher ranked teams. Manager Joe Dunne described Saturday's 5-1 defeat at home to Tranmere as unacceptable, in a game where they were poor from set-pieces and especially weak in winning second-balls.

The second-ball issue is something where this match can be won. Yeovil have a high energy midfield that press well. Whereas the Essex team have quite a young squad, and I am not sure some of their players will have experienced this sort of relegation situation before. Plus the Glovers are very sound defensively on their travels, having conceded just twice in their last four games away from Huish Park.

Recommended bet:

Back Yeovil to win @ 2.40

Shrewsbury Town 2.84 v Doncaster Rovers 2.76, the draw 3.65

These two teams met in October, with Doncaster prevailing 1-0 in a tight affair. Shrewsbury hardly had a chance then, and I expect something similar again to lean towards the under 2.5 goals.

Rovers haven't quite got their game going in their last five (losing three and drawing two), but were much better on Saturday during the 1-1 draw against the flying Yeovil. It wasn't a classic, but it was much improved against a good team. Everton loanee John Lundstram did well on his debut - always wanting the ball, and some of their key players are coming back from injury.

Donny are a big, physical side with a decent away record, and they possess the joint best defensive CV in the division (having conceded only 12 on their travels).

Shrewsbury have picked up recently, moving themselves away from the relegation places with a decent run of three wins from their last five games. Under manager Graham Turner they are fairly solid if unspectacular whilst defensively being fairly sound. New signing Chris Porter is important with his hold-up play, and I really liked the debut of Bolton youngster Tom Eaves on Saturday. His high energy

running was one of the highlights during the 2-1 win over Stevenage.

It's quite hard to split them as I am still to be convinced that Donny are the side they were under Dean Saunders. Whilst Shrewsbury have improved since they met in October. The draw for a trade looks most appealing, using a cover on the under 2.5 goals. I would also look at correct scores of 0-0 and 1-1.

Recommended bets:

Back the draw @ 3.65

Hartlepool United 2.90 v Crewe Alexandra 2.60, the draw 3.60

It's a surprise the Alex aren't facing Coventry again this midweek. The pair have met three times during February, with Crewe taking the bragging rights to Wembley by winning their Northern Area JPT final. And for good measure, Crewe beat Coventry in the league on Saturday 2-1.

With the Staffordshire side in mid-table and a Wembley trip booked, is this the sort of game for a stylish young team to pass their way to victory?

Hartlepool are motoring, from a team that weren't for much of the season. Manager John Hughes has got the confidence up, with the new found fighting spirit and gained 14 points from their last 18 available. James Poole (who scored again on Saturday) has epitomised their recent belief and I might just go against the visitors whilst Pools are in such good form.

Recommended bet:

Lay Crewe @ 2.60