Four By Four 
/ Four By Four / 28 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
QPR’s title celebrations might be put on hold once more at Vicarage Road
"QPR's away form against the Championship's better sides is not impressive - they have won only two of their 10 games when visiting top-half teams."
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.
Blackpool v Stoke
Blackpool didn't get the win last week against Newcastle when I put them up as a selection but they did do enough to win two or three games by all accounts. Newcastle scored completely against the run of play, and the Tangerines had at least two genuine penalty appeals turned down. On the plus side, Ian Holloway's men did score for the 17th consecutive game at Bloomfield Road and they narrowly climbed out of the drop zone.
Stoke's midweek win against Wolves means they are completely safe now, so with injuries starting to mount up Tony Pulis can turn his attention to the FA Cup final and rest a few of his better players. That's not to say the players that come in won't be trying because with a Wembley final on the horizon, everyone at the club will be busting a gut to win a place in the team. But ability wise, some of the Stoke fringe players aren't as good as the usual starting line-up and Blackpool might just be in a better frame of mind to take full advantage.
This really is last chance saloon for Holloway's men, and I'm desperate for them to win, not only for this column, but for the entertainment factor they bring to the Premier League.
Mike Norman's selection: Back Blackpool to beat Stoke at [2.82]
Watford v QPR
It would be something of a travesty if QPR didn't finish the season atop the table, as they have been there virtually all season. Whether they get to stay there remains to be seen with all the talk of possible points deductions but, on the pitch, Rangers have been the best side. Having said that, I think they may have to settle for no more than a point in this one. Their away form against the Championship's better sides is not impressive - they have won only two of their 10 games when visiting top-half teams. And they suffered their only home defeat to Watford, who have one of the best attacks in the division and have scored at least once in each of their last 15 home games. The Hornets have nothing to play for, but that equates to no pressure and certainly no nerves, unlike QPR who could feel it a bit trying to get the point needed to secure promotion.
Andrew French's selection: Lay QPR v Watford at [2.36]
MK Dons v Notts County
The MK Dons surprisingly lost both of their matches over Easter, yet according to manager Karl Robinson deserved more. Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Huddersfield was described by Robinson as 'a near perfect performance'. An odd thing to say after a defeat, but they were definitely the better side. The Buckinghamshire outfit need to make sure their season doesn't end with a whimper, and one victory will seal their place in the play-offs. I have often praised the Dons this season for their style and flair, which is a crucial angle into this weekend's game.
Notts County have collected seven points from their last three matches under Martin Allen, almost unheard of pre-Mad Dog days. However, there is more to Allen than his bite, he is a very clever and highly skilled coach, and has got belief, energy and passion back into this team. County lined up with a new 3-5-2 against Brentford last Monday with a view of getting hold of the ball in the middle, and Allen might have to do the same here, as the MK Dons keep the ball brilliantly - and might not give it back.
The home side are due to give someone a beating, and have been creating lots of chances. Robinson has his team set up to carve opponents up at will, and for all Notts County's improved run of form, the Dons are one of the best sides in the division.
Alan Dudman's selection: Back MK Dons to beat Notts County at [1.93]
Gillingham v Macclesfield
This has to be the biggest gimme in League Two this weekend if Gillingham are to assert themselves for a play-off push. The saving graces of defeat to Barnet are that the visitors were desperate for a win at the wrong end of the table and, in the Gills' case, that Andy Barcham scored twice. It shows that Andy Hessenthaler's men have a striker of note other than Cody McDonald, the 24-goal striker. Barcham has scored six in his 22 appearances (another to knock Rotherham out of the play-off race) but the suspicion remains that if you stop McDonald, you stop the Kent club.
The Silkmen should prove lesser opponents, after one win in eight - at out of form Cheltenham - and have nothing to play for. If Gillingham can't beat them, their play-off hopes deserve to be finished. This is the perfect chance to improve on their home form, where there have been too many draws lately.
Ian Lamont's selection: Back Gillingham to beat Macclesfield at [1.6]
Recommended Multiple
Back Blackpool @ [2.82]; Lay QPR @ [2.36]; Back MK Dons @ [1.93]; Back Gillingham @ [1.6]; The multiple pays approximately [15.0]
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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