There is another full fixture list in Skybet League Two on Saturday with the 24 clubs moving into the final third of the season where things are really beginning to get serious.
The fixtures for Saturday are as follows: (3pm unless stated)
Newport v Carlisle 13:00
Accrington v Crawley
Wimbledon v Luton
Dag & Red v Barnet
Hartlepool v Yeovil
Leyton Orient v Northampton
Morecambe v Oxford Utd
Plymouth v Mansfield
Portsmouth v Bristol Rovers
Stevenage v Cambridge
Wycombe v Exeter
York v Notts County
There are some big matches at the top and the bottom of the division in this round of fixtures. The biggest game of the day is probably the Plymouth vs Mansfield match but Leyton Orient vs Northampton and Portsmouth vs Bristol Rovers will have implications on the promotion race.
At the other end there is a huge clash between Hartlepool and Yeovil. Hartlepool are under new management for the first time in that match. Dagenham & Redbridge vs Barnet is also pretty big at the bottom too so we may well have a clearer picture of things at the top and bottom of the table once all the full time whistles are blown.
In terms of betting there isn’t too much I like here. These tend to be pretty evenly matched fixtures or the pressure on them turns me off from a betting point of view. There are two bets I’m taking but I was tempted by Northampton and Bristol Rovers but there isn’t quite enough margin in their prices to go on the attack.
My first bet is sticking very much to what I know and that is to take my own side Luton at AFC Wimbledon. If, like me, you’re a Luton fan you’ll know the Hatters’ record at Wimbledon isn’t the best but forget all that. Until three weeks ago they had never won at Mansfield in a league game and they put that to bed.
AFC Wimbledon were in good touch but then suffered a home defeat to Yeovil in their last match. Having seen Yeovil since I find that an incredible result but perhaps I shouldn’t do because Wimbledon are only 5-3-6 at home with just one win in their last five there and already losses to Yeovil and Dagenham on the ground which doesn’t bode well.
Luton have been good on the road all season, even when they were having their struggles under John Still and I suspect this match has been priced up on their football under Still because there has been nothing to suggest Luton should be this price since Nathan Jones has taken over.
In two away games under the Welshman Luton have won at Mansfield and Wycombe and haven’t conceded a goal in those games. More importantly they are looking better at times in each match and I think they’ll avoid defeat here if not actually win.
Luton won the reverse fixture at Kenilworth Road earlier in the season, one of just three wins they’ve managed at home this season, and I’ll take them to pick something up here too.
I watched Wycombe last weekend and I saw a side devoid of goals who have a bit of a shackle on them at home. Interestingly on the local radio after the game Gareth Ainsworth was saying how he would be in training desperately seeking someone to score some goals for his side. A couple of days later he lets a striker go out on loan to Oldham which was weird.
With a search for goals ongoing Garry Thompson’s suspension from his red card in midweek won’t help much so I think Wycombe are there for the taking on Saturday I must say.
It helps that Exeter head to Adams Park in decent touch. They’ve won their last three matches and are coming good at the right time and have also won three of their last five on the road including wins at Mansfield and Leyton Orient.
It isn’t ideal that Exeter have parted ways with Tom Nichols in recent times but they have Jayden Stockley there contributing and Paul Tisdale says he is getting players back which is making his squad look very strong. Exeter are getting a start on the Asian lines which I like here and I’ll take them to get a result of some kind against a goal shy Wycombe and land us a profit in the process.
Back Luton (+0.5AH) to beat AFC Wimbledon for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back Exeter (+0.25AH) to beat Wycombe for a 4/10 stake at 1.90 with Bet365
