Home and Away: Yeovil to extend impressive run in play-off six pointer

Bet 1: Yeovil Town (HOME) @ 2.98

Bet 2: MK Dons (AWAY) @ 2.54

Jonno Turner looks to build on a value win in Germany yesterday with two more picks - this time from League One.

We're off to Somerset for our first pick of the day - and it's a massive game in the League One play-off picture, as sixth placed Yeovil Town host fifth placed Swindon at Huish Park.

The home side have lost just one of their last 13 outings, and that will give them much confidence ahead of the final push, as they eye a final place in the top six.

Boss Gary Johnson will be delighted with his side's consistency of late - and eight wins from their last nine on their own patch puts them in pole position to take maximum points from this clash, against a Swindon side which has been wobbling in recent weeks.

The Glovers have been in lethal attacking form in recent weeks, and 21 goals scored in their last eight in front of their own fans suggests that they have more than enough quality to overcome their visitors here.

And Johnson has strengthened his squad further - bringing in Latvia international midfielder Vitalijs Maksimenko from Brighton and Charlton striker Jordan Cook - who are both expected to play a part this evening.

Swindon travel to Yeovil under a bit of a cloud, with ex-boss Paolo di Canio having walked out on the Robins, and sparking a downturn in form.

Kevin MacDonald is the new man tasked with leading the away side to success, but there is much confusion around the club at the moment - with a transfer embargo meaning that they can't bring players in - and that threatens to derail their whole season.

Just one win from five - and a 2-1 loss at Brentford in their last outing on the road - isn't the kind of return that the Robins will need to show if they are to secure their place in the play-offs.

But Swindon have slipped so much that they are now within catching distance of 10th place - and anything but a win here will put them at real risk of dropping out of the leading pack completely.

MacDonald will be without influential midfielder Alan Navarro, who is injured - and he has had to turn to the youth players to make up a full squad for this clash.

Bet 1: Yeovil Town (HOME) @ 2.98

Staying in the third tier now, as MK Dons travel to Staffordshire to face Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road - and Karl Robinson's side will be desperate to build on an impressive 3-0 victory over Tranmere last weekend.

The Dons go into this tie sitting 12th in the table - and that will be a disappointment to them as they would have been looking to make an impact on the play-offs as a minimum this year.

But so tight is this division that a win could lift the visitors to 57 points - and with a couple of wins of the top seven, with the end of the campaign in sight.

Robinson's side have certainly hit form at the right time, and just one loss from their last seven suggests that they have a determination about them that makes them very hard to beat.

And the away side have lost just two of their last nine on the road - an enviable return at any level.

Hosts Crewe line up for this clash sitting two below their guests in 14th, and look set for mid table obscurity this season.

Steve Davis' charges are 12 points off the play-offs and 15 points off the relegation zone, which suggests that, although they have nothing to play for, they have nothing to worry about either.

And no wins from four on their own patch indicates that the Alex may struggle in this encounter, as they welcome a Dons side full of momentum.

Davis will be without teenage starlet Max Clayton, who has been called up to the England U19s squad, and will be looking for his attackers to step up to the plate tonight - having not scored more than a single goal in any of their last five home games.

Bet 2: MK Dons (AWAY) @ 2.54

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Indian Wells Tips: Nadal to extend winning record against Fed

Events / Sean Calvert / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

The outdoor courts favour Nad

"I made Rafa my outright selection for this event on the basis that conditions here suit his game and despite Federer’s more impressive performance in the previous round, I see no reason to switch allegiances in this tournament now."

It's men's semi-final day at the BNP Paribas Open with the headline act being another instalment of Nadal v Federer and Sean Calvert is backing the Spaniard to extend his good record against the Swiss master

It was a tale of two Argentines on Friday at the BNP Paribas Open.

My recommended bet resulted in a disappointing loss for Juan Martin Del Potro, but those who were on my advice of backing David Nalbandian to take the opening set against Rafa Nadal were rewarded with a [4.6] winner.

Saturday is men's semi-final day at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and first up at around 6pm UK time is Novak Djokovic v John Isner with the world number one priced up at around [1.13] to advance to the final.

This will be the third meeting between the pair, with Djokovic holding a 2-0 lead so far in their series, but they haven't played each other since 2010.

Djokovic looks like he's just coming into form at the right time in this event after a sluggish start, while Isner should have no shortage of confidence after making his second successive Masters 1000 semi.

He also comes into this match with additional self belief after recording his first win over a top four player when he defeated Roger Federer in the Davis Cup recently, so he'll have the right mindset when he steps on court tonight.

I can't see it being quite enough against Djokovic, but the big man should be able to take the match over the 20.5 total games mark if he serves well, which he'll have to against arguably the best returner in men's tennis at the moment.

Nole should have too much variety and a little extra class in this one, but my bet would be the overs at around [1.8].

The second semi final will be part 28 of the Federer v Nadal series, with Rafa holding an 18-9 advantage in competitive matches against the Swiss maestro.

This will be their first ever meeting at Indian Wells and Rafa is priced up at around [1.75] for the win, which is pretty reasonable considering that he's won four of their last five competitive matches and hasn't lost to Federer on an outdoor hard court since Miami in 2005.

Indeed, Rafa leads their series on outdoor hard courts by 5-1 in competitive matches and 7-1 overall, so on the face of it the Spaniard looks a pretty good bet at the current price.

An interesting wager in this match could be the 'second set winner' market, as Rafa has won the second set in eight of their last nine matches in all competitions. If you can get around [1.8] that could be worth an investment.

I made Rafa my outright selection for this event on the basis that conditions here suit his game and despite Federer's more impressive performance in the previous round, I see no reason to switch allegiances in this tournament now.

Del Potro was hugely disappointing yesterday against Fed and admitted to mentally checking out after a bad call cost him the chance to break in the first game of the match, which is a shocking admission from a top-10 player.

Nadal on the other hand had to dig deep against Nalbandian and was a couple of points away from losing, which should have sharpened him up and I expect his usual tactic of wearing Federer's backhand down until it breaks will be victorious again tonight eventually.

Recommended Bet
Back Nadal to beat Federer at [1.75]

Follow Sean on Twitter @seancalvert1

Sean Calvert continues a week of tipping with a look at this intriguing quarter-final between Juan Martin Del Potro and Roger Federer......

Big-serving John Isner and Sean's nemesis Gilles Simon go head-to-head tonight and though Isner looks the more likely winner, the better bet is that it will be a pretty long match os it's time to turn to the total games...

Sean Calvert found some winners yesterday and on a day where the favourites should mostly prevail, the best bet is the in-form Ryan Harrison. He's up against a player in Gilles Simon with a suspect record here at Indian Wells...

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