While the cream of the Premier League are away chasing European qualification, the working-class heroes of League One and Two remain committed to the cause and will be knocking lumps out of each other come Saturday afternoon at 3pm.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best clashes happening across the land on Saturday afternoon to find a whopper of a five-fold acca.
Blackpool v Rotherham: Both teams to score – 13/20
Simon Grayson’s Blackpool have impressed this season, winning five, drawing five and only losing twice in their 12 League One matches so far.
They’ve only scored 16 goals in those 12 matches, so they’re going to need to find more firepower if they want to challenge for the top spots in the league. However, their home form is good, having lost just once in their five matches – scoring seven times in the process.
Rotherham, on the other hand, haven’t won away since a lucky own goal gave them a 0-1 win away at Burton Albion. Away from the AESSEAL New York Stadium, yes, that’s seriously what they call it now, they’ve won two, lost two and drawn one.
It must be said though that they’ve scored in every away game bar one though, so we expect them to get one past Jak Alnwick between the Blackpool sticks.
Southend v Wimbledon: Marcus Forss to score anytime – 2/1
It’s too early in the season to call this a ‘relegation six-pointer’ isn’t it? Isn’t it? Only for Bolton’s woes off the field that find them on -8 points, Southend would be level with them on four points at the bottom of the table.
You’ve got to feel a bit sorry for the home fans, they’ve yet to see The Shrimpers win at home this season, they’ve only scored four times and three of them were in a draw with Fleetwood Town a few weeks ago.
The Dons’ away form is just as poor, they’ve lost every single away match in the league this season, shipping 14 goals while doing so. The silver lining?
They’ve scored at least one goal in all their away matches, largely thanks to Finnish attacker Marcus Fross who has scored four in his last five matches for the Dons. We like to look of him to continue his fine run of form and score anytime is 2/1.
Exeter City v Forest Green Rovers: Forest Green & Draw – Evens
From a bottom of the table clash, to a top of the table one. Exeter City take on Forest Green with both teams in ripe form.
Exeter have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five at St James Park, while Forest Green’s away form has seen them win three, draw one and lose one of their last five.
Exeter’s overall form has taken a bit of a wobble of late though and they’ve not won in the league since a 2-1 win over Port Vale on September 17th – drawing two and losing the other match since then.
We’re looking at an upset here, Rovers put four past Salford away a fortnight ago and three past Crawley at home last weekend. We all know how important momentum is in football.
Mansfield v Oldham: Oldham Draw No Bet – 2/1
Manfield come into this as odds-on favourites (5/6), but we could see another upset here. The Stags aren’t in great shape at home, having won just once so far this campaign and have shipped five goals in their previous two League Two encounters at Field Mill.
Oldham, on the other hand, were on a run of three undefeated on the road until losing to Carlisle two weeks ago. Oh Oldham, who remembers the good old days of Joe Royle, sitting there on the touchline with a face like a wet Sunday as Oldham lost, again.
Back to the match though, Mansfield have only scored two goals in their previous four matches at home, while Oldham have racked up an impressive six goals in their four most recent away games.
We’re going against the crowd here and we’re backing Oldham Draw No Bet at 2/1.
Scunthorpe v Northampton: Scunthorpe & BTTS – 7/2
The Iron welcome Northampton to the Sand Venue Stadium with them having picked up five points from a possible nine at home recently.
A look at the table sees them above the final relegation place on goal difference, but it’s their away form that’s letting them down, at home they’ve been pretty good, losing just twice in their six home matches this season.
Northampton have been decent on the road, winning two, drawing two and losing two. Both teams are in good goalscoring form too, with the home side chalking up six goals in their last three at home, while the visitors have netted four times in their last three games.
We think goals are on the menu here and the home side should edge it, so our bet is Scunthorpe to Win and BTTS at 7/2.
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