Live on Skysports 1: Sun 13.15 & 15.30: Coventry and Stevenage are 23/10 (bet365) to draw their televised League One encounter.
A Johnstone’s Paints Trophy reverse in midweek and a forgivable Capital One Cup defeat to Premier League Southampton aside, Stevenage’s start to the season has been impressive, Gary Smith’s men having picked up two wins and a couple of draws in their four League One outings. Both league victories have come on the road too so at 5/2 courtesy of BetVictor they pose a significant threat to Coventry as the pair lock horns at the Ricoh Arena.
For the Sky Blues, a 5/4 chance at Stan James to pick up their first maximum haul, it has been a frustrating campaign so far. Boss Andy Thorn has departed while City have drawn three out of four league matches and it’s perhaps not surprising that another stalemate has been the subject of market support at 23/10 via bet365, alongside William Hill’s 11/2 for it to finish one-apiece.
In the circumstances an inconclusive affair looks like the most probable outcome and BetVictor post 4/1 against scores being level at the end of each half, however, if there is to be a winner, Coventry, aided by home advantage, are the team most likely to emerge triumphant.
Subsequently, Skybet’s 8/13 about a Sky Blues triumph in the ‘Draw No Bet’ market is a decent way for punters to hedge their bets a touch and for those unwilling to even commit to that bet365 chalk even money against both teams getting on the scoresheet.
The second part of a televised League One double header sees Crawley entertain troubled Portsmouth and this time a home success looks like a far safer proposition. The newly promoted Red Devils have won three out of four in the league and can also boast a 2-1 Capital One Cup triumph over Championship Bolton so their form is solid to say the least.
In stark contrast, cash-strapped Pompey, Ladbrokes understandable 4/1 outsiders, have yet to win a match in 90 minutes this term and Michael Appleton’s thrown-together battlers certainly appear to be up against it at the Broadfield Stadium.
Richie Barker’s troops are cracking value then at 5/6 (Paddy Power) to send Portsmouth home empty-handed and it’s front man Nicky Ajose that can fire them to the three points.
The former Manchester United trainee has rediscovered his scoring touch having found the net in each of his last three matches and now plying his trade for the other Red Devils, he’s an enticing 11/2 at BetVictor to break the deadlock. Alternatively, bet365 offer 8/5 for Ajose to notch at any stage.
Recommended Bets:
Coventry and Stevenage to finish 1-1 – 11/2 (William Hill)
Crawley to beat Portsmouth – 5/6 (Paddy Power)
Nicky Ajose to score first – 11/2 (BetVictor)
Compare all League One odds and bet at the best price.
