Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of January 18-19

 Ten draws: Everton v Tottenham, Newcastle v Bournemouth, Coventry v Bristol City, Derby v Watford, West Bromwich v Stoke, Mansfield v Wycombe, Reading v Stockport, Rotherham v Charlton, Grimsby v Chesterfield, Ross v Livingston.

Best draws: Newcastle v Bournemouth, Coventry v Bristol City, Mansfield v Wycombe, Reading v Stockport, Ross v Livingston.

Weekend's best football bets: Six aways: Barnsley, Wigan, Notts County, Bradford City, Crewe, Motherwell. Ten homes: Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Luton, Millwall, Birmingham, Port Vale, Salford, Swindon, Woking.

Pick of the draws: Bournemouth look capable of playing European football next season. They were seconds away from winning at Chelsea in midweek and it won't surprise me if they avoid defeat at Newcastle, even though the hosts have won their last nine matches. Coventry, of the Championship, have yet to benefit from the appointment of Frank Lampard as manager and won't find the better-placed Bristol City easy opponents. Wycombe, second in League One, have lost their manager to Luton at the most inappropriate time. They visit Mansfield, who are also feeling low after losing 2-0 at home to Wigan in the FA Cup third round. Reading have not drawn at home this season. That may change when they face Stockport, who are just behind them in League One and went out of the FA Cup with honour against Premier League Crystal Palace last Sunday. There's no reason for Livingston, third in the Scottish Championship, to be fearful of a trip to Ross County, who are struggling in the Scottish Premiership and in danger of bowing out of the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Away days: Barnsley, fifth in League One, are worth backing when they are away from home and look a good bet at lowly Bristol Rovers. Wigan, having won at Mansfield in the FA Cup in midweek, will feel confident going to Stevenage, who have scored only 18 goals in 23 games. League Two seems the most likely section for away wins. Free-scoring Notts County are recommended at Accrington and Bradford City should boost their promotion prospects by beating Carlisle, who are bottom. Second-placed Crewe will be disappointed not to gain maximum points at second-from-bottom Morecambe. I expect Motherwell to add to St Johnstone's pain in the Scottish Cup. 

Homes sweet homes: Leicester, fighting relegation from the Premier League, found some form in the FA Cup by thrashing Queens Park Rangers, of the Championship, 6-2 at home last weekend. They are worth a punt against Fulham on Saturday. Crisis club Luton appointed the much sought-after Matt Bloomfield as manager and I predict he will start his career at Kenilworth Road with a win over Preston in the Championship. Swindon, who are close to the League Two relegation zone, had much the better of their home goalless draw against promotion-seeking Crewe last Saturday and I fancy them to get the better of Barrow, who are five places higher.

Betting info: I scored five out of seven with my home selections last weekend. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Southampton and Walsall obliged for me. Three matches were postponed.




 




 

0 comments:

Post a Comment