Four By Four 
/ Four By Four / 17 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith is having another solid goal-scoring season
"Posh midfielder and trequartista Lee Tomlin is a top player with great feet and eye for goal, whilst forward Craig Mackail-Smith is having his usual goalscoring season."
Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Multiple option.
Stoke v Brighton (FA Cup)
I don't particularly like tipping top-flight clubs in the cup against in-form underdogs, but in this case I had Stoke priced up at around [1.5], so to see them at [1.7] in the Match Odds market is very appealing. Plus, we're at the stage of the competition now where shocks become less frequent, and any Premier League club with a home tie must surely have their sights set on going all the way. League One leaders Brighton play some attractive football under Gus Poyet but I'm not sure that's what will be required at the Britannia Stadium against 'bully' boys Stoke. Tony Pulis' men have won their last three on home soil whereas Brighton's only league wins on the road since October were against lowly Exeter and bottom of the table Bristol Rovers.
Mike Norman's selection: Back Stoke to beat Brighton at [1.7]
Crystal Palace v Sheff Utd
Time to roll out that classic cliché - a relegation six-pointer. With Preston rapidly getting detached at the foot of the table, and next-to-bottom Scunthorpe's miserable home record crippling their survival chances (despite a heroic win against Nottm Forest in midweek), Palace and United are in the box seats to join them in making the drop. But at least Palace are showing a bit of resistance. Okay, so two wins and three draws in the last seven isn't exactly scintillating, but at least Dougie Freedman's side are giving themselves a platform on which to win games by not giving away goals: they have kept four clean sheets in that seven-game sequence. And that could be the decisive factor against Saturday's opponents, who are still to win under Mickey Adams since he took over nine games ago.
The Blades have failed to score in both their last two away games, and are on a run of five defeats in their last six road trips. Most tellingly, though, United have managed to score just once in seven away games against fellow bottom-half sides. That stat when travelling to face Palace - who have conceded only three in seven when hosting teams below halfway - suggests the Eagles could just edge this one. If I were braver, I'd suggest 1-0 to Palace at [7.6].
Andrew French's selection: Back Crystal Palace to beat Sheff Utd at [2.26]
Peterborough v Tranmere
League One's most entertaining team are back on home soil this Saturday, and Peterborough have a chance to add to their amazing tally of 45 goals in 15 games at London Road - a truly staggering effort from a side with an embarrassment of attacking riches.
Posh beat Yeovil at Huish Park on Tuesday night in a slightly different manner, and that pleased manager Darren Ferguson. The goals came in the final nine minutes of the match, but they battled and showed far more defensive resolve than previously. Mind you, it helps playing Yeovil. Central defender Gabriel Zakuani returned to the side in midweek, and his aerial ability is undoubtedly the best in the division. Posh midfielder and trequartista Lee Tomlin is a top player with great feet and eye for goal, whilst forward Craig Mackail-Smith is having his usual goalscoring season.
Posh have big players that can hit opponents in spells and short bursts, and are still attractive in the outrights despite their skinny odds.
Alan Dudman's selection: Back Peterborough to beat Tranmere at [1.7]
Hereford v Burton
Strike while the iron is hot. The Bulls have their tails up, the Brewers are still stewing after their cup exit. Burton continue to frustrate their manager and fans, unable to string two league wins together more than once this season. They caught Chesterfield at the right moment last weekend - confirming their penchant for quirky results - but Hereford are in confident mood. Stuart Fleetwood continues in good form for the hosts, whose home form has been solid except against their bogey side Lincoln and even their away form has been good, with away wins at Cheltenham and Torquay.
Ian Lamont's selection: Back Hereford to beat Burton at [2.52]
Recommended Multiple
Back Stoke @ [1.7]; Back Lay Crystal Palace @ [2.26]; Back Peterborough @ [1.7]; Back Hereford @ [2.52]; The multiple pays approximately [16.0]
Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Multiple option....
Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Multiple option....
Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Multiple option....
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