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

6Apr 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...

West Brom 4.2 v Arsenal 1.9; The Draw 3.5

When these teams clashed in early December, West Brom were joint-third in the Premier League, five points healthier than Arsenal. Since the Londoners' dubious penalty-abetted 2-0 win, they have hoovered up more points than anyone in the division besides Manchester United though, averaging almost a point a game more than the flagging Baggies.

Whereas the Gunners boast five wins in six league matches - and 10 in 15 over a wider period - West Brom have accumulated 10 defeats in 18 fixtures, their formidable home record tarnished by just three victories in nine in all competitions, with four blanks fired along the way.

Unlike several other big clubs, Arsenal appear immune to Hawthorns ignominy too. They last lost at the highest ground in the country in 2005, winning three of their four subsequent hikes up there and scoring 10 along the way.

Michael Lintorn's selection: Back Arsenal to win @ 1.9

Nottm Forest 1.9 v Blackpool 4.0; The Draw 3.5

Forest are hanging on to their unbeaten run by the skin of their teeth. Injury time goals against both Brighton and Burnley over Easter means it's nine games without defeat since Billy Davies took charge and their play-off hopes remain firmly in tact.

Those last minute levellers prove that Forest have something about them too. In fact, in their last eight games they have now scored seven times from 82 minutes onwards, and four of those came in the 90th minute. In other words, they refuse to be beaten, they are in good form, and they are scoring goals. Which is more than can be said for Blackpool.

True, The Tangerines were unbeaten over Easter, but they've been out-of-form recently which can be put down to the fact that they don't score often enough. Paul Ince's men have scored just one first half goal in their last 20 matches, and they haven't scored more than one goal in a game for nearly two months (nine games).

If Forest can repeat the goals they've been scoring since King Billy returned, they should win this game and keep their end-of-season momentum going.

Mike Norman's selection: Back Nottm Forest to win @ 1.9

Hartlepool United 2.45 v Bury 2.8; The Draw 3.25

Hartlepool against Bury is a proper basement clash. The north east club are on a dismal run of eight games without scoring a goal and are minus the services of veteran forward Steve Howard, who has been allowed to leave on loan to Sheffield Wednesday. A bizarre decision, and I cannot see how they can score this weekend.

Bury are one win from seven and their fight to stay in the division might just be over. Manager Kevin Blackwell has been unable to fill his bench on recent occasions and they have only 15 senior players left, as their inspirational captain (and top scorer) Steve Schumacher is out for the season.

As you can probably tell, it's not going to be a great affair. Bury are nervous at the back and up front, Pools last scored under the old King. The home team have been involved in three 0-0 scorelines from their last seven, and the draw looks most likely.

Alan Dudman's selection: Back The Draw @ 3.25

Exeter 2.1 v Dagenham 3.2; The Draw 3.3

Back-to-back defeats over Easter and injuries to key players have hit Exeter's campaign, just as it looked like they were overcoming their St James Park jitters. They have by far the weakest home record in the top seven.

That now needs to improve if they are to stay in the play-off picture. Despite the absences of Matt Oakley, Tommy Doherty, Liam Sercombe and Alan Gow, Danny Coles remains upbeat, saying that the atmosphere in the dressing room is the same as it was before the 4-1 thumping of Bradford.

As Opta point out, Exeter have never lost to Dagenham, but also have just one win in their last six games this season. Dagenham have one victory in 10. Their defending was "pathetic" at Bristol Rovers, said their manager Wayne Burnett, something which has been their downfall as they fester towards the bottom of the division.

Ian Lamont's selection: Back Exeter to win @ 2.1

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