The Big Saturday Multiple: Rovers boss off to a flyer today

19Jan 2013

Jonno Turner picks three domestic home sides to make up his Big Saturday Multiple today, at odds of over 7/1!

We're off to the Midlands for our first pick of this three team multiple - and focusing on action at the Ricoh Arena, as Coventry City host Oldham Athletic in League One.

The Sky Blues have been in impressive form of late, and go into this one having lost just one of their last eight on their own patch - and that has left Mark Robins side sitting in 10th place, just three points outside the play-offs.

And 14 goals notched in that time suggests that, in the likes of Leon Clarke, Stephen Elliott and Franck Moussa, the hosts have plenty of talent in the final third - and are more than capable of putting a few past their visitors this afternoon.

But it's not just the forwards who should take the plaudits. A clean sheet at home to league leaders Tranmere Rovers in their last outing at the Ricoh indicates that Robins has organised his rearguard well, and they will be hoping to continue that momentum against a struggling Oldham side here.

The visitors have won just one of their last four away from Boundary Park, and boss Paul Dickov will be keen to arrest that slide here.

His side sit in 19th place in the table - just four points above the relegation zone, and a negative result in this clash could see them teetering even closer to the drop zone.

Six goals shipped in their last couple on the road points to weaknesses in the Latics defence, and that is something that home boss Robins will be looking for his side to capitalise on those leaks.

History favours the hosts, who haven't lost to their guests in half a dozen encounters - and I'm backing the home win here.

Bet 1: Coventry City (HOME) @ 1.85

Climbing a division now, but staying in the Midlands - as Derby line up against big rivals Nottingham Forest at Pride Park.

Encounters between these two famous clubs are always tasty clashes, and home boss Nigel Clough will be desperate to claim bragging rights over a side to which he has a long-standing history.

The Rams go into this one in positive form, undefeated in nine of their last 10 on their own patch, and they will be keen to extend that momentum into this game.

Three points could lift Clough's side into ninth place in the table, and they will have one eye on the play-off picture as we edge closer to February.

Forest make the short trip to Derbyshire sitting three points above their hosts, and have not won in four away from the City Ground.

Boss Alex McLeish has not even seen his side score a goal in three on the road, and will be keen for his misfiring forwards to put that right, and help his side claim three points which would go a long way to endearing him to the Forest faithful.

But the visitors have not kept a clean sheet in half a dozen games, and I think that those defensive leaks could be a major factor in the outcome of this clash.

Derby have won the last three meetings with Forest, and I think they're good value to do the same today - in an early kick off.

Bet 2: Derby County (HOME) @ 2.3

Back to the second tier for our final selection of the day, and Doncaster Rovers have the chance to go top of the table as they face Leyton Orient at the Keepmoat - and new Donny boss Brian Flynn will be desperate to kick off his tenure at the helm with three points.

The hosts have lost just one of their last five on their own patch, and with ex assistant Flynn being backed to deliver the promotion that he and former boss Dean Saunders have flirted with all campaign, Rovers will be keen to maintain the momentum and consistency which has served them so well this year.

Three clean sheets from five in front of their own fans indicates that Flynn has a solid base to work from, and with the home side sitting level on points with leaders Tranmere, with a game in hand, it seems that Donny's fate is in their own hands.

Visitors Leyton Orient travel up the M1 having won just one of their last five, and without a win in two away from Brisbane Road, boss Russell Slade will be hoping for a change in fortunes this afternoon.

The O's have conceded in 10 of their last 13 on their travels, and that suggests that the home side could be presented with a chance or two here.

That inconsistency leaves the visitors in 15th place in the table, and with them eight points away from the play-offs, and 10 points away from the drop zone, the direction of their season looks set to be decided over the next few weeks.

Bet 3: Doncaster Rovers (HOME) @ 1.95