FOOTBALL BETTING: Sam Tomlinson gives his verdict on the best bets in the football league and fancies wins for Brentford, Tranmere, Dagenham, Port Vale, Accrington, Blackpool and Swansea
As the season enters its’ final phase, many issues have already been resolved and it’s subsequently to gauge the intensity levels and motivations of teams with little to play.
Accordingly, value across the three Coca Cola League divisions is a touch more difficult to unearth and it’s in League One where the weekend’s most eye-catching wager can be found.
Swindon still harbour slim hopes of sneaking into an automatic promotion place but a run of four games without a win at a critical juncture means they are four points adrift of second with only two games remaining.
This week they are 8/15 with Betfred to get the better of Brentford but the Robins late stutter suggests that the Bees could be worth a modest interest at the Country Ground.
Unbeaten in eleven matches, Andy Scott’s men are finishing the campaign strongly and although Swindon’s home record makes an away win a big ask at 5/1 with Victor Chandler, Brentford have enough to avoid defeat and they’re a tasty 11/8 in Stan James’ handicap market, where they kick off with a goal start.
Another team in the hunt for second are Millwall but they too could find life tough this weekend at relegation-threatened Tranmere, despite being odds-on at 10/11 (Paddy Power).
Rovers can boast home victories against Norwich and Southampton in recent weeks and they look a touch high at 16/5 with bet365 to add the Lions to that list, especially as the visitors have taken just one point from their last two away games. The cautious can back the hosts at 10/11 (Stan James) to avoid defeat.
In League Two, play-off chasing Dagenham are a home banker at 3/5 with Jaxx.com against Hereford, Betfred post 13/8 against a Port Vale triumph at promoted Bournemouth and Victor Chandler’s 3/1 for Accrington to see off faltering Chesterfield at the Crown Ground, looks huge.
Finally in the Championship, the big relegation showdown at Hillsborough is one to avoid, although if pushed, we’d suggest that Crystal Palace’s performance against West Brom stands them in good stead to either win or draw (8/13, Victor Chandler); the Eagles 11/5 at Betdaq to come out on top.
At the other end meanwhile, Blackpool (1/2, Totesport) can secure a play-off place by defeating Bristol City and they’re likely to need that three points as Swansea look a safe bet at an identical price, this time with Partybets, to beat Doncaster.
To compare all the weekend’s match odds, click here
