Big Saturday Multiple: Brentford eyeing automatic promotion

Jonno Turner picks three domestic selections to kick start the weekend in style, with sides battling it out for points at both ends of the table...

We're off to London for our first pick of this three team multiple - and a hugely important game at Griffin Park, as Brentford host Portsmouth.

Uwe Rosler's side currently sit third in the League One table, just two points behind second placed Bournemouth - but the Bees have a game in hand on their south coast rivals, and will be desperate to make the most of home advantage here.

The hosts have lost just one game since August 2012 on their own patch - an impressive run which consists a whopping 24 outings.

And four wins on the bounce in front of their own fans will have the West Londoners high in confidence ahead of this clash, as they look to maintain momentum ahead of a potential play-off campaign.

Four clean sheets from six at Griffin Park shows just how dominant Rosler's side have been of late, and I think that their guests will struggle to breach that backline.

Portsmouth travel to London occupying 22nd place in the table, and are two points inside the relegation zone with just three left the play.

The Fratton Park side have experienced a disastrous season on and off the pitch, and the writing seems to be on the wall for Guy Whittingham's charges, who have played more games than their rivals down the bottom.

Pompey have certainly shored up of late - but too often they have lacked the cutting edge to get maximum points on the board, as two wins from half a dozen games shows.

And just one win in 16 on the road since October points to a home win in this clash.

Bet 1: Brentford (HOME) @ 1.574/7

A relegation six pointer at the bottom of the Championship now, as Wolves welcome Huddersfield Town to Molineux.

Wanderers go into this one sitting 20th in the table - just two places outside of the drop zone - and they will know that this game is a must win if they are to move away from danger.

Two straight wins in front of their own fans will give the home side a boost ahead of this clash, and that makes three unbeaten on their own patch.

Dean Saunders' side will be keen to get a further three points on the board following a loss at Bolton Wanderers last week - especially as a defeat to Huddersfield would see their opponents leapfrog them.

The Terriers occupy 21st place in the division, one behind their hosts, and are just one point ahead of Blackburn - who sit in the final drop zone place, but have played a game less.

That makes every remaining opportunity to secure points massive for Mark Robins' side, and he will be desperate for them to avoid defeat here.

But the West Yorkshire side are inconsistent on the road, and have won just two of their last 12 away from thr Galpharm Stadium, which suggests that they could struggle here.

Bet 2: Wolverhampton Wanderers (HOME) @ 2.05n/a

Focusing on action in South Yorkshire now, and Rotherham United line up against Fleetwood Town, desperate to cement their place in the top six.

The Millers have been inconsistent this campaign, and that has probably been key as to why they don't sit higher up the table - but their form at the New York Stadium of late has been impressive, and they will be hoping that they can maintain that against the Cod Army.

Just one loss from half a dozen in front of their own fans, along with four wins and a draw, will be the type of run which Steve Evans wants to see from his side, and a 4-1 thrashing of fellow play-off hopefuls Exeter on Tuesday will give the home side a big boost.

Fleetwood travel to this game all but out of the promotion picture, sitting in 10th place in the table - and boss Gary Alexander will know that it will take a miracle for the Highbury Stadium side to get anything from this season now.

A 3-0 thrashing from Rochdale suggests that the seaside club have practically given up themselves, and anything other than a win at the New York Stadium will see their season come to an end.

But just one win in six suggests that an away win is an unlikely outcome, and the visitors have not kept a clean sheet on their travels since early March, which shows just how leaky they have been of late.

Bet 3: Rotherham United(HOME) @ 1.834/5

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Championship Previews: Back Reading to cement promotion push

Championship / Andrew French / 05 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Reading players celebrate following their crucial win over West Ham last weekend

"Reading have won 11 of their last 13 games including last week's 4-2 success at promotion rivals West Ham."

It's all about momentum at this stage of the season, and Reading have it says Andrew French as the Royals look to cement their promotion push by beating inconsistent Leeds.

Reading v Leeds, KO: Good Friday 14:00, live on Sky Sports 1, Match Odds: Reading [1.62], Leeds [6.4], The Draw [4.2]

Unless they suddenly hit a streak of good form, Leeds look destined for another season of Championship football: and a trip to Reading is the last thing you'd want when trying to kick-start a run to carry you into the play-offs. Neil Warnock has said himself he'd be surprised if his side go up this year, and given they have won only two of their last eight, you can see why.

Reading, meanwhile, have been imperious since the turn of the year. They have won 11 of their last 13 games including last week's 4-2 success at promotion rivals West Ham. The Royals have won their last six at home, and have generally taken control of recent games at the Madejski early on: in each of their last five home games they have been in front at the break and gone on to win. Against a side with such fragile confidence as Leeds, they can do the same again here.

Back Reading HT/Reading FT @ [2.6]

Nottingham Forest v Bristol City, KO: Saturday 17:20, live on Sky Sports 2, Match Odds: Nottm Forest [1.83], Bristol City [5.0], The Draw [3.8]

It's probably taken longer than he would have liked, but Steve Cotterill appears to have guided Nottingham Forest to safety. They were next to bottom as recently as mid-February but a run of only two defeats in 10 has lifted them up to 19th and six points clear of the drop zone.

Bristol City are heading in the opposite direction amid a sequence of just one win in 13 games - they were 19th at the end of January, and now they are 22nd. They have gone seven without an away win, during which time they have scored just one goal. A win here would just about end Forest's lingering concerns, and with the current gulf in form, home advantage should be telling.

Back Nottm Forest @ [1.83]

Watford v Blackpool, KO: Good Friday 15:00, Match Odds: Watford [2.66], Blackpool [2.84], The Draw [3.5]

Being a Watford fan, I have to confess I expected to be sweating about relegation around now. So, the achievements of Sean Dyche and his squad have been a hugely pleasant surprise: I certainly could never have foreseen them having a chance of reaching the play-offs. Yet the Hornets are the in-form side at the moment, unbeaten in seven and with three successive wins to their credit.

On-loan Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak has clearly made a difference with three clean sheets in his last four outings: Watford had only managed seven shut-outs in 33 games before he arrived.

I can see the Hornets improving their recent run of four wins in six at home against a Blackpool side that has been inconsistent despite their high current placing in the league table. Ian Holloway's side claimed a fine win over leaders Southampton last weekend, but it was only their second success in seven attempts. They have lost their last three away games and conceded eight goals in the process.

Back Watford @ [2.66]

West Ham will have to arrest a run of five successive home draws if they are to climb above Reading into the automatic promotion places......

There's a huge game at the top of the table when West Ham host Reading, but Andrew French also previews Coventry and Portsmouth's games as they attempt to avoid relegation....

After five home draws in a row and seven draws from their last 10 games it's been a frustrating time for West Ham, but Andrew French believes they are an excellent price to beat out-of-form Peterborough in midweek....

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Championship Betting: The best bets in the promotion race

Championship / Andrew Atherley / 03 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Canaries could be singing in the Premier League next season

"Norwich cemented second place on Saturday with a 6-0 home win over Scunthorpe and, with 70 points and a four-point gap back to Cardiff and Swansea with seven games to go, they look a good bet for the second automatic promotion place."

Andrew Atherley looks at the wisest wagers in the battle to make the Premier League

The Championship is living up to its reputation as a fiercely competitive league and the battle for the key finishing positions should once again go down to the wire. Four points separate the three teams likely to fight out the second automatic promotion place, while the same spread covers seven teams in the chase for the final playoff spot in sixth place.

One thing that is almost certain is that QPR will be promoted - they are [1.04] - and almost certainly as champions, for which they are [1.1]. They are the eighth team in 10 seasons to reach 76 points at this stage of the season and six of the previous seven went up - all as champions when they were the only team to have reached that mark. The exception to the rule was Wolves, who famously choked in 2001-02, allowing West Brom to roar past them and take second place.

Norwich cemented second place on Saturday with a 6-0 home win over Scunthorpe and, with 70 points and a four-point gap back to Cardiff and Swansea with seven games to go, they look a good bet for the second automatic promotion place.
A top-three finishing position was secured by 26 of the 27 teams that had at least 70 points at this stage in the past 10 seasons, which indicates Norwich will stay right in the reckoning for the other automatic promotion slot. And when the second-placed team has had at least 70 points, with a gap of three points or more to third place, they have been promoted seven times out of eight in the past 10 seasons - again, the sole exception was choking Wolves.

Another factor in Norwich's favour is that, while the average points total for second place in the past 10 seasons has been 87.4, the bar is likely to set lower this season. For weeks now the finishing line has seemed likely to be around 82 points and, as the games tick down, that is looking a tough target for most of the promotion candidates.
Norwich, though, look all set to get there.

By comparing the points totals of eventual runners-up at this stage and the end of the season, it is possible to calculate that Norwich will reach 82 or 83 points. If they do, Cardiff or Swansea will probably have to win six of their remaining seven games to deny the Canaries automatic promotion. Cardiff's best winning sequence this season was five games and Swansea's was four, so it looks a tall order for them to overhaul Norwich.

History suggests at least five of the current top six will make the playoffs at least and clearly the most vulnerable to a late charge from below is Reading, who moved into sixth place on goal difference this weekend. It also means that Leeds, at [1.5] for a top-six finish, look overpriced.

In the past seven seasons Blackpool, West Ham and Crystal Palace have made a late charge into the top six and ultimately to promotion via the playoffs, so any remaining value is likely to be with a team that can build similar momentum. Leicester, [13.0] for promotion, have the quality to do it and would have to be fancied if they make the playoffs.

But Reading have one of the easier run-ins, as well as a game in hand and a superior goal difference, and they might have enough to hold off all challengers. Based on the run-ins of each team and how they have performed against opponents from the various sectors of the table this season, the finishing points totals might look something like this: QPR 90, Norwich 82, Swansea 78, Cardiff 77, Leeds 75, Reading 74, Nottingham Forest 71, Millwall 69, Burnley 67, Hull 67, Watford 66, Leicester 66.

Recommended Bets
Norwich to be promoted at [1.84]
Leeds to finish in the top six at [1.5]

Backing in-form, and opposing out-of-form teams could be the key to making a profit this weekend thinks Andrew French, whilst plenty of goals are expected at Loftus Road....

Preston's results have been pretty impressive recently says Andrew French, and now they hope to kick-start an unlikely survival push by beating out-of-form Coventry....

Burnley have emerged from the pack as serious play-off contenders says Andrew French, and he believes Eddie Howe's men can win again this weekend as part of his three best wagers....

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League One Betting: Slade's Orient making promotion noize

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 10 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Russel Slade has put together a very effective unit at Brisbane Rd

"Orient haven't lost a league game since New Year's Day (a 5-0 drubbing at Brighton) and could just make a late charge into the play-offs. There has been no FA Cup hangover, and Tuesday's win over Walsall pushed them up to seventh place in the table."

Al Dudman thinks Leyton Orient are just magic and can keep one of the season's most unlikely promotion bids on track this weekend

Leyton Orient [1.85] v Oldham Athletic [4.80], the draw [3.55]
There are some amazing things in this world. Chocolate biscuits, magicians and Susannah Hoffs to name but three. There is a fourth though, and it's this amazing team that Leyton Orient manager Russell Slade has produced, and a quite staggering run of results.

Orient haven't lost a league game since New Year's Day (a 5-0 drubbing at Brighton) and could just make a late charge into the play-offs. There has been no FA Cup hangover, and Tuesday's win over Walsall pushed them up to seventh place in the table. Their season is very much alive, and are currently [9.8] to get promoted.

The Londoners dominated the game at the Saddlers for long periods, playing some neat one- and two-touch football. Slade plays a 4-4-2, which alternates to a 4-5-1 when leading scorer Alex Revell tucks in. They do have craft and guile, added to the league's second best defensive home record.

Oldham meanwhile have slipped down to mid-table, and are in a wretched run of eight games without a win. Goals are a problem (despite scoring twice in the 3-2 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek), whilst the leaky defence has a habit of crumbling under pressure.
Best bet: Back Leyton Orient to win @ [1.85]
Back Orient to win 2-0 [10.0] and 3-0 [19.0]

Colchester United [2.44] v MK Dons [3.05], the draw [3.35]
The MK Dons are another 'momentum' team worth backing this weekend, and once again I think their price is too big. Last Saturday Karl Robinson's side were similar odds at Rochdale - and they thumped the Dale 4-1 at Spotland with an ultra-convincing display.

Tuesday night was no different when they dispatched play-off hopefuls Charlton 2-0 in a game where the Addicks were not allowed to create anything upfront. Robinson described that success as one of the most important wins of the season. Added to that, the MK Dons have really got their act together on their travels.

The Buckinghamshire outfit have a good footballing philosophy, instilled into them by a manager who is very calm and confident. They create plenty of chances and are excellent in reaching the final third, a quality that many lack in this league. The MK Dons can move at pace, and their movement can sometimes be too hot to handle.

This game will suit Colchester better, who got embroiled in a dogfight at Dagenham on Tuesday night. Manager John Ward called that a soft display in a poor game of football. Fighting and scrapping isn't really what the Essex side do, as they tend to play possession football with a good tempo. The home team can score here, however the MK Dons are rolling and will be confident to go playing for the win - which also brings into play the overs.
Suggested bet: Back MK Dons to win @ [3.05]
Back over 2.5 goals @ [2.1]
Back MK Dons to win 1-2 @ [14.0] and 1-3 [22.0]

Bristol Rovers [4.00] v Huddersfield Town [2.02], the draw [3.50]
Bristol Rovers sacked Dave Penney on Monday, and have installed player (and fans favourite) Stuart Campbell in charge - and he worked the magic on Tuesday by switching formation in a 1-0 win against Tranmere. The players looked happier, and it
seems all was not well under Penney. Has the gloom lifted?

Huddersfield need a win to keep in touch for automatic promotion, but will be without star winger Antony Pilkington who suffered an horrific leg break in midweek against Rochdale, an injury that rocked manager Lee Clark and his team. It could have a galvanising efffect on the Terriers, who are more resolute and solid these days rather than spectacular.

I'd like Huddersfield to win, but I think it's going to be a scrap. The [2.02] on offer for an away victory is tempting, but the safer option could be the unders at around [2.00].
Suggested bets: Back under 2.5 goals @ [2.0] or bigger.
Back 1-1 @ [12.0]

Al Dudman thinks Leyton Orient are just magic and can keep one of the season's most unlikely promotion bids on track this weekend...

Top of the league and top of the form table, the Spireites are bordering on the unbeatable - can Crewe upset them? Meanwhile, the brave will back Coleman's men to get the draw and the Valiants bid to get back...

Alan Dudman talks us through the best bets in League One this weekend, starting with why Bournemouth can beat Oldham at the ground formerly known as Dean Court......

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