Hey everyone. I’m back again to preview the weekend games for the football league. If you enjoy my posts, feel free to donate here to the blog to help with its upkeep.
Championship
Bristol City vs Swansea City
Odds: Bristol City – 13/10 Draw – 11/5 Swansea – 23/10
What I think will happen:
Both teams look around the midtable level but I’m giving the edge to Bristol City here. They’ve not struggled to find the net this season while Swansea have and the Swansea defence was really poor on Tuesday while Bristol City at least managed to hold out for a win. I like Bristol City here but I wouldn’t be putting a lot of money on them.
Bristol City 2-1 Swansea
Queens Park Rangers vs Barnsley
Odds: QPR – 21/20 Draw – 23/10 Barnsley – 14/5
What I think will happen:
QPR should really win this game. Barnsley play nice football but struggle to create clear cut chances and are in danger of getting into a bit of a rut. I’m just a little wary because QPR have a habit of messing up games they really should be winning but they have scored 3 goals in each of their last 2 games and can do enough here to get the win.
QPR 2-0 Barnsley
Blackburn Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion
Odds: Blackburn – 14/5 Draw – 23/10 West Brom – 1/1
What I think will happen:
This matchup will suit Blackburn’s recent style of play again and they should make a good fist of things, but with West Brom being the best set piece team in the league, they may be able to nullify that side of Blackburn’s game and they also just look too good for this league. They are mostly solid at the back and nobody is able to defend against their corners and long throws. West Brom can use their set piece edge to their advantage and get another win.
Blackburn 1-3 West Brom
Bournemouth vs Blackpool
Odds: Bournemouth – 13/20 Draw – 14/5 Blackpool – 9/2
What I think will happen:
Bournemouth look like one of the weekend bankers. They were clinical in the second half against Birmingham and I can see Solanke scoring a couple here. Blackpool deserved to lose on Tuesday as they were cut apart at times and missing 2 sitters as well makes me concerned about their ability to score here. Bournemouth should be getting their 3rd win in a row here.
Bournemouth 3-0 Blackpool
Cardiff City vs Millwall
Odds: Cardiff – 5/4 Draw – 11/5 Millwall – 12/5
What I think will happen:
Both teams are fairly level in my eyes. I was somewhat underwhelmed by Cardiff at the back against Peterborough and though they showed good fighting spirit to get a point, it wasn’t a great performance. Millwall probably deserved to lose by more than 1 against Fulham but Fulham look a class above this league at the moment anyway so I wouldn’t be too worried about them. I can see these sides cancelling each other out in a 1-1 draw as neither team looks fully solid at the moment.
Cardiff 1-1 Millwall
Coventry City vs Reading
Odds: Coventry – 21/20 Draw – 12/5 Reading – 13/5
What I think will happen:
Coventry played really well against Blackpool while Reading were poor against Bristol City and I like Coventry to win again here. Reading really struggled against set pieces and just looked a bit underwhelming in general against Bristol City while Coventry were able to cut through Blackpool really well at times with my only concern being that they gave up a couple of clear cut chances during the game. But they can score a couple here and that should be enough to win.
Coventry 3-1 Reading
Derby County vs Middlesbrough
Odds: Derby – 15/8 Draw – 21/10 Middlesbrough – 13/8
What I think will happen:
Derby were much better in midweek and though it was against a really poor Hull side, they at least have some positive momentum going into this one. Middlesbrough meanwhile bottled it at home to 10 men QPR but were at least promising going forward. I can see another 1-1 draw here with Middlesbrough being the more likely side to win if there is a winner in this one since I do have them as still being a better team than Derby.
Derby 1-1 Middlesbrough
Fulham vs Hull City
Odds: Fulham – 4/9 Draw – 10/3 Hull – 13/2
What I think will happen:
This is likely to be the easiest win of the weekend. Hull are an absolute shambles defensively at the moment and are offering little going forward as well. Meanwhile, Fulham are a free scoring side who look too good for this league and should run up a decent total here in a very comfortable win.
Fulham 4-0 Hull
Luton Town vs Birmingham City
Odds: Luton – 11/10 Draw – 23/10 Birmingham – 13/5
What I think will happen:
Luton were really professional against Barnsley and look like a genuine playoff team this season, while Birmingham looked ok against Fulham but just lacked the finishing ability to get a result out of the game and that looks to be what will stop them from challenging for the playoffs. In terms of this game, I can see this being another score draw. Luton may not be able to score more than once here and I like Birmingham to get a goal this time in another 1-1 draw.
Luton 1-1 Birmingham
Preston North End vs Peterborough United
Odds: Preston – 23/20 Draw – 23/10 Peterborough – 5/2
What I think will happen:
The market for this game is completely wrong. Peterborough look like they can get away from the relegation fight this year while Preston look like one of the 3 worst teams in the league at the moment. With their defensive issues you’d fancy Peterborough to get a goal or 2 here and I can see them getting an away win having just missed out on a huge win in midweek. Preston need to show me much more on both sides of the ball before I can pick them to win a game.
Preston 1-2 Peterborough
Sheffield United vs Huddersfield Town
Odds: Sheff Utd – 4/7 Draw – 14/5 Huddersfield – 19/4
What I think will happen:
I was hoping Sheffield United would be some value this week as I wasn’t completely disheartened by their performance against West Brom and they easily could’ve scored in the first half. I like them to win here against a fairly pedestrian Huddersfield side but the price obviously offers no value. Huddersfield looked ok against Preston but shouldn’t be good enough to get a result here.
Sheff Utd 2-0 Huddersfield
Stoke City vs Nottingham Forest
Odds: Stoke – 10/11 Draw – 12/5 Notts Forest – 16/5
What I think will happen:
It’s hard to pick against Stoke here but the price doesn’t offer too much value. They played really well in midweek and this is the sort of fixture that should help them continue a decent run of form given that Forest just look like they have something wrong with them. They were fancied to win both home games over the last week but self-destructed in both of them and this already is looking like a lost season for them. Stoke can get a win here as they’re the better side.
Stoke 1-0 Forest
League One
Rotherham United vs Sheffield Wednesday
Odds: Rotherham – 6/5 Draw – 9/4 Sheff Wed – 5/2
What I think will happen:
While I’ve not been overly impressed by Sheffield Wednesday, they have managed to concede 0 goals this season and are starting to show signs of life going forward. They may be underdogs here but I can see them getting a draw against a Rotherham side who haven’t been as free scoring as I would’ve hoped this season and are coming off the back of a very hard fought game in midweek.
Rotherham 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United
Odds: Bolton – 13/8 Draw – 5/2 Oxford – 8/5
What I think will happen:
This game feels like a very even matchup. Oxford on paper are stronger but they weren’t particularly great against Crewe and could easily have dropped points there. Bolton were impressive against Lincoln and finally got themselves sorted at the back and I’m going to go for them to win here. They look to be playing slightly better right now and have home advantage as well to boot.
Bolton 2-0 Oxford
Cambridge United vs Burton Albion
Odds: Cambridge – 21/10 Draw – 9/4 Burton – 11/8
What I think will happen:
This is an interesting matchup, it feels like the first game where Burton won’t just be able to sit on the counter and try and nick a win with Cambridge probably happy to take a point here and I can see this game developing into a stalemate because of that. A lot of people will back Burton this weekend but I’d be careful given that they were fortunate to beat Sunderland and gave up a few clear cut chances.
Cambridge 1-1 Burton
Charlton Athletic vs Wigan Athletic
Odds: Charlton – 13/10 Draw – 12/5 Wigan – 21/10
What I think will happen:
Both teams have had tough fixtures to start the season and this is another one for both sides. That being said, I like Wigan here more than Charlton. Wigan have made a better fist of their 3 games and look a bit better at the back than Charlton right now, it could very well be a draw but I’m going to take Wigan to get the upset win here.
Charlton 1-2 Wigan
Crewe Alexandra vs Accrington Stanley
Odds: Crewe – 9/5 Draw – 5/2 Accrington – 29/20
What I think will happen:
I think Crewe are going to turn the corner soon. They played well in the 2nd half against Oxford and were unlucky not to escape with a point. Accrington had a fairly comfortable win against Doncaster midweek with Doncaster never looking like scoring but I can see them dropping points here. I’m still not fully sold on their defence given they have been at home to 2 poor attacking sides in their last 2 games and I can see this being an entertaining 2-2.
Crewe 2-2 Accrington
Doncaster Rovers vs Portsmouth
Odds: Doncaster – 12/5 Draw – 9/4 Portsmouth – 5/4
What I think will happen:
I’m really confused as to why the market is coming for Doncaster here. Portsmouth were somewhat shaky midweek against Shrewsbury and maybe even fortunate to win, but Doncaster look like the worst side in the league at the moment and I’d like to think Portsmouth can just nick another 1-0 away win here. They were going to be one of my bankers of the week but the midweek performance has put me off promoting them to that sort of level, I still like them to win though.
Doncaster 0-1 Portsmouth
Fleetwood Town vs Cheltenham Town
Odds: Fleetwood – 13/10 Draw – 9/4 Cheltenham – 9/4
What I think will happen:
Fleetwood are really poor at finishing chances and it’s now becoming a major concern for me. This feels like a bad matchup against a side that are good at finishing chances, especially from set pieces and they’re going to find it tough to win here. Cheltenham will likely play to nick a 1-0 and I can see them succeeding here.
Fleetwood 0-1 Cheltenham
Gillingham vs Morecambe
Odds: Gillingham – 11/10 Draw – 12/5 Morecambe – 13/5
What I think will happen:
This is going to be an extremely scrappy game and that means it’s pretty unpredictable. Gillingham should’ve lost on Tuesday and though they managed a smash and grab draw, they still aren’t creating enough chances at the moment. Morecambe were beaten by a better team midweek despite playing ok and with this game being highly likely to be low scoring it feels safe to just pick a draw here.
Gillingham 1-1 Morecambe
Ipswich Town vs MK Dons
Odds: Ipswich – 13/10 Draw – 23/10 MK Dons – 11/5
What I think will happen:
This isn’t an ideal matchup for an out of sorts Ipswich. MK Dons look to be a solid top half team this season and are coming off a good win against Charlton which they just about deserved. Ipswich should really have killed the game off in the first half midweek having had one of the worst misses of the season when they were 1-0 up but they were dreadful in the second half and deserved to lose. I’d be worried that they’re poorly coached but they do have enough talent to make me think they won’t lose here. I can see another high scoring draw.
Ipswich 2-2 MK Dons
Shrewsbury Town vs Plymouth Argyle
Odds: Shrewsbury – 13/10 Draw – 12/5 Plymouth – 21/10
What I think will happen:
Shrewsbury played well in the second half in midweek and I like them to turn that momentum into a win here. I wish the price was bigger but they have home advantage and are another team that look ready to turn a corner for at least a brief while. Plymouth really should’ve beaten Cambridge midweek and it was a shame to see them blow a lead. They weren’t brilliant in that matchup and they may lose here now they’re back away from home.
Shrewsbury 2-1 Plymouth
Sunderland vs AFC Wimbledon
Odds: Sunderland – 4/6 Draw – 14/5 Wimbledon – 17/4
What I think will happen:
I like Sunderland to win here. Wimbledon should really have won their last 2 games and look to be a midtable side involved in a lot of lottery games this season. Sunderland were unlucky to lose in midweek and I expect them to get back in the goals in front of their own fans against a side that hasn’t kept a clean sheet yet this season.
Sunderland 2-0 Wimbledon
Wycombe Wanderers vs Lincoln City
Odds: Wycombe – 6/4 Draw – 23/10 Lincoln – 15/8
What I think will happen:
I like Wycombe in this one. Lincoln haven’t particularly impressed me so far this season and they deserved to lose midweek. The bigger concern was that they didn’t score against a team that had conceded 6 in 2 games before Tuesday. Wycombe are looking like a solid outfit with some good results on the board, they seem to be comfortable at finding the net and that can kick them onto a win here.
Wycombe 2-0 Lincoln
League Two
Carlisle United vs Leyton Orient
Odds: Carlisle – 23/20 Draw – 9/4 Orient – 13/5
What I think will happen:
Carlisle are a solid team but they’re too short of a price here. It does look like Orient have beaten 2 sides who are poorer than they were expected to be but Carlisle have been involved in 3 tight games so far and I can see them drawing 1-1 here since Orient are fairly good on a going day and have some momentum heading into this game.
Carlisle 1-1 Orient
Exeter City vs Bristol Rovers
Odds: Exeter – 6/5 Draw – 9/4 Bristol Rovers – 5/2
What I think will happen:
Both of these teams have been really poor to start the season. 1-1 seems a fairly decent shout but I’m going to take Exeter to edge this one just because they looked better at the back than Bristol Rovers in midweek and the Bristol Rovers defence does seem likely to concede here. I wouldn’t touch it on a betting front but I’m taking Exeter to get a 1-0 here.
Exeter 1-0 Bristol Rovers
Forest Green Rovers vs Crawley Town
Odds: Forest Green – 4/5 Draw – 5/2 Crawley – 15/4
What I think will happen:
I feel like Crawley will be a lot better at home than away this season but I’m still tempted to say they get a draw here. Forest Green weren’t brilliant in midweek and have played 3 of the weaker sides in the league so far. Crawley come into this game with good momentum at least and looked really good in midweek after the first 20 minutes or so. I’m going to say this one finishes 2-2.
Forest Green 2-2 Crawley
Harrogate Town vs Barrow
Odds: Harrogate – N/A Draw – N/A Barrow – N/A
What I think will happen:
This game is up in arms because Harrogate players are only coming out of isolation today. If the game goes ahead and Harrogate have fully trained then I’d fancy them to nick a 2-1 but there’s too many unknowns to make a preview for this one.
Harrogate 2-1 Barrow
Hartlepool United vs Walsall
Odds: Hartlepool – 6/5 Draw – 23/10 Walsall – 12/5
What I think will happen:
Walsall look like a bad team this season and I can see Hartlepool getting a win here. They were solid at home in week 1 and can take advantage of Walsall being completely out of form. Walsall could easily have lost midweek and questions will be being asked in their camp.
Hartlepool 1-0 Walsall
Mansfield Town vs Bradford City
Odds: Mansfield – 13/10 Draw – 21/10 Bradford – 12/5
What I think will happen:
The market is a bit off in my eyes here. I’d say Bradford have been better than Mansfield so far this season and they found their shooting boots in midweek when putting up 4 against Stevenage. Mansfield will likely offer them a tougher test and Braford would probably be happy to take a 1-1 against a title rival. Mansfield were solid against Colchester but didn’t get the 2nd goal to kill the game and paid the price for it.
Mansfield 1-1 Bradford
Northampton Town vs Rochdale
Odds: Northampton – 21/20 Draw – 13/5 Rochdale – 5/2
What I think will happen:
Northampton are one of my better bets this weekend. They’ve kept clean sheets in both games so far and Rochdale seem to look a little lost. Conceding 1 minute after equalising is usually the sign of a bad team and I’m not sure how strong the opposition they’ve played so far even is. They should get things together eventually, but for the time being they look a good side to take on regularly.
Northampton 2-1 Rochdale
Oldham Athletic vs Colchester United
Odds: Oldham – 31/20 Draw – 5/2 Colchester – 17/10
What I think will happen:
I’d have Colchester as favourites here. Oldham have been poor in their last 2 games and don’t look the happiest of teams right now. Meanwhile, Colchester are playing well but have just struggled to put away chances. I’m hoping that scoring a late goal in midweek will finally get them going in front of goal and they’re solid enough at the back to maybe get a clean sheet here.
Oldham 0-2 Colchester
Salford City vs Swindon Town
Odds: Salford – 5/6 Draw – 5/2 Swindon – 7/2
What I think will happen:
I’m baffled as to how Salford are odds on here. They are a shambles, they haven’t won a game yet and in their mid week game they had an incident with 2 of their own players squaring up to each other which shows a very toxic dressing room. Swindon are no more than solid and look to be a midtable team but I’d fancy getting a result if I was them here. They may not offer enough going forward to win but a 1-1 draw is very attainable.
Salford 1-1 Swindon
Scunthorpe United vs Sutton United
Odds: Scunthorpe – 2/1 Draw – 11/5 Sutton – 29/20
What I think will happen:
Sutton have played well in both of their games so far and I can see them winning here. Scunthorpe are a poor side that will do well not to get relegated and though they deserved their draw with Walsall, Walsall are also a very poor side so it isn’t the strongest piece of form. I like Sutton to do enough to win here.
Scunthorpe 0-1 Sutton
Stevenage vs Port Vale
Odds: Stevenage – 7/5 Draw – 21/10 Port Vale – 9/5
What I think will happen:
Despite Stevenage conceding 4 in midweek. This feels like it should be a much lower scoring game. Port Vale are solid enough at the back and have dominated their last 2 games, but they haven’t created anything particularly clear cut and this could be a third 0-0 in a row for them. Both teams are playing at a similar level so it will be a tight affair.
Stevenage 0-0 Port Vale
Tranmere Rovers vs Newport County
Odds: Tranmere – 7/5 Draw – 9/4 Newport – 21/10
What I think will happen:
Based on how these teams play, this game will surely be a low scorer. I’m leaning towards Tranmere in this one as I was concerned by how Newport played at the back against Mansfield and if they do that again, Tranmere can finally get a goal and are good enough at the back to win this game.
Tranmere 1-0 Newport
Suggested Accumulator:
Bournemouth
Coventry
Northampton
Sunderland pays at 10/1
Underdogs Treble:
Peterborough
Wigan
Colchester pays at 29/1
Sports Cloud 