The Four by Four column: A quartet of English football selections

2Mar 2013

Betfair

Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection each from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Fixed Odds Multiple option...

Stoke 2.0 v West Ham 3.8; The Draw 3.25

The two teams at the bottom of the Premier League form table collide at the Britannia Stadium this weekend, and, with Stoke losing only once in 20 home league games, they have to be fancied at evens to be the ones to wave their troubles adieu.

West Ham gave Tottenham a fright on Monday night, but rarely perform well in successive games, as illustrated by having followed their eight league victories with two draws and six defeats.

A major factor in their incapability to impress two weekends running is their ineptitude on the road. They have lost six in a row on their travels and are winless in nine after a fairly promising start.

Stoke's poor form won't incentivise them either - the Irons specialise is resurrecting lifeless hosts. They gifted Wigan one of just two home triumphs, stopped Reading's eight-match winless streak, rescued Fulham from a rut of two wins in 15 and halted Aston Villa's eight-game slump into the drop zone.

Michael Lintorn's selection: Back Stoke to win @ 2.0

Brighton 1.6 v Huddersfield 6.0; The Draw 3.7

The case for Brighton is a strong one. The Seagulls have lost just one of their last nine league games and appear to be hitting form at precisely the right time. They've won five times in that spell and have also recorded a home victory over Premier League outfit Newcastle.

They have five Spanish players in their squad, three of which - Andrea Orlandi, David Lopez, and Vicente - who provide real flair and attacking intent. Against the lesser teams in the Championship they are always good for a few goals.

Huddersfield have to be classed as one of those 'lesser' teams. Prior to a narrow win over Burnley in midweek their previous four away games resulted in four losses and a staggering 19 goals conceded. The Terriers have a dreadful record against teams from the top half of the table, so if both teams perform to their best then Brighton really ought to record a comfortable victory.

Mike Norman's selection: Back Brighton to win @ 1.6

Brentford 1.61 v Scunthorpe United 5.5; The Draw 3.6

Brentford look virtually impossible to oppose this weekend. Opta stats back the price up too, stating the Londoners have picked up more points at home this season than anyone else in the league (33), and they have lost only twice at Griffin Park all season.

Now that the distractions of the FA Cup are finished with, Uwe Rosler's side can concentrate on their push for promotion. Currently they have 58 points, and with the situation so ludicrous at the top of the table, Brentford could go to the top position with a couple of wins.

Scunthorpe's task looks hard, and Opta state they have scored just three goals in their last six games. On the plus side, skipper Paul Reid could return from a virus, but striker Akpo Sodje remains doubtful with an ankle injury. They have had a good February, but this looks a really tough game for Brian Laws' men.

Alan Dudman's selection: Back Brentford to win @ 1.61

York City 2.75 v Bradford 2.62; The Draw 3.0

Bantams assistant boss Steve Parkin is puzzled how pessimism has set in at Valley Parade about the Yorkshire side's League Two campaign. It is clear the management is not giving up on promotion this season, which to most seems a distant ambition. It would be understandable if tired hearts could not make up a 10-point gap to seventh, even with games in hand.

If they are to climb, then they simply must take advantage of York's poor form. The team with most games ending level settled for a 16th draw of the season at Rotherham. They have not won in 10 games. Visiting James Hanson, Nahki Wells and co - with Phil Parkinson clearly prepared to shuffle his pack - just have to start winning by displaying the spirit that helped them reach last Sunday's Capital One Cup final.

Ian Lamont's selection: Back Bradford to win @ 2.62

Recommended Bets

Back Stoke @ 2.0; Back Brighton @ 1.6; Back Brentford @ 1.61; Back Bradford @ 2.62; The Multiple pays approximately 13.5

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