The Big Saturday Multiple: Port Vale to extend winning run in capital

9Feb 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner picks three sides from the bottom two tiers of English football to make up his Big Saturday Multiple.

We're off to the capital for our first pick of the day - as lowly Barnet welcome top of the table Port Vale to Underhill in League Two.

Edgar Davids side line up on their own patch for the first time since early January following three consecutive away ties, and their form has slipped of late, with two losses on the bounce.

The Bees now find themselves second bottom of the division, but on the same points as struggling Plymouth, who are placed one above them.

Just two wins from their last half a dozen at home suggests that the North London side may struggle against the mighty Port Vale this afternoon, and just one clean sheet in front of their own fans since November suggests that the visitors may be presented with a chance or two here.

Micky Adams' side have extended their lead over second placed Gillingham to four points - and confidence will be high down at Vale Park following just one defeat in their last nine.

The away side go into this game with the momentum of two 3-0 back to back wins, and will be desperate to replicate that form against a Barnet side that the table suggests they really should be beating.

Five unbeaten on the road backs up the visitors supremacy on their travels, and 10 goals scored in that time points to an impressive attacking return from the likes of 25 goal striker Tom Pope, who is in the form of his life this campaign.

The last time these two sides met, the Valiants ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, and I expect Adams' side to take maximum points back to Staffordshire in this one, too.

Bet 1: Port Vale @ 1.85

Bradford City are drawing closer to the biggest day of their recent history - a trip to Wembley in the League Cup final at the end of the month.

Phil Parkinson's side made the nation sit up and take notice with a 3-1 win over struggling Aston Villa at Valley Parade - but, as is the case with many cup runs, their league form has suffered since then.

The Bantams have not won a game since that night in early January, and go into this clash with second placed Gillingham having lost three of their last four outings.

A 2-1 loss to Oxford United in their last clash on their own patch was a case of 'after the Lord Mayors show', and the West Yorkshire side have slipped out of the play-offs and into 10th place in the table (albeit with two games in hand).

The hosts will be eyeing their next three games as a way to get back into form, but with two arguably easier encounters against Wycombe and AFC Wimbledon coming up before the Wembley final, I'd suggest that they will be looking for a solid performance as opposed to a result today.

Visitors Gillingham are unbeaten in four of their last six, but will be looking for more consistency on their run in, as they aim to topple current leaders Port Vale.

Martin Allen's side have certainly been consistent on their travels though - and three wins on the bounce will give them a massive confidence boost ahead of this trip north.

Those victories included scalps of Rotherham United and Southend, so it's clear that the Kent side can mix it with the bigger sides in the division - and they will be keen to build on that momentum following a January stutter.

Two clean sheets from their last two away from the MEMs Stadium suggests that the Gills rearguard is up to the task of holding out this Bradford side though, and I think that we could see an away win here - at cracking odds.

History certainly favours the visitors, who are unbeaten in four against the Bantams - and a 3-1 Gills victory earlier this season shows just how comfortable todays visitors looked in that clash.

Bet 2: Gillingham @ 2.87

Moving up a division for the final pick of this three team multiple - and Doncaster Rovers look to get back to winning ways following a shock 2-0 defeat at Bury last week, welcoming Walsall to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Brian Flynn's side have been in cracking form of late, unbeaten in a six game run which saw five wins and a draw, and will be keen to put in a solid performance today to silence the critics following that poor result last weekend.

Rovers form on their own patch has been one of the major factors in their climb into second place in League One, and Flynn will be desperate for his side to arrest that slump before it begins here.

Four clean sheets from six at the Keepmoat suggests that the visitors won't get much spare change out of the home back line, and that will raise confidence throughout the hosts side.

Visitors Walsall have been in sparkling at the Bescot Stadium, but their away form has been patchy - and they travel to South Yorkshire having failed to win in nine of their last 11 on the road.

That leaves Dean Smith's side sitting in ninth place - an impressive return by all accounts - but he will be keen for his Saddlers side to pick up more points on their travels.

But just one clean sheet from 15 away from the Bescot suggests that the Midlands side do struggle with travel sickness, and I think that could play into Donny's hands this afternoon.

The hosts ran out 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture, and they're decent odds to come out on top here, too.

Bet 3: Doncaster @ 2.05