Sky Bet League One – Weekend Betting Preview
Barnsley v Gillingham
Gillingham head Barnsley only through goals scored in the Sky Bet League 1 table, but home advantages sees the Tykes as favourites heading into Saturday’s clash. Danny Wilson’s men are odds-on for a home win at 4/5, while an away win for the Gills is on offer at 3/1.
Both sides have made inconsistent starts with a defeat, win and draw on the board, but the viewing has been entertaining nonetheless. Both Barnsley and Gillingham played out 2-2 draws in mid-week, and Sky Bet go 12/1 on another at Oakwell. Four of the six games involving these two sides have gone over 2.5 goals though, which may prove a safer bet.
Top tip: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5
Bradford v Peterborough
Bradford are one of only five unbeaten teams in Sky Bet League 1 after three games, so they’re the favourites as Peterborough visit Valley Parade on Saturday. Posh lost to Sheffield United during the week, but still have six points on the board after opening up with two wins.
The visitors are 13/8 to return to winning ways, though the Bantams are 6/4, while a draw wouldn’t be the worst result for either party – that’s on offer at 23/10. All three of Peterborough’s games so far have been won by a single goal, and they’re 7/2 to nick the game by one, while Bradford are 100/30 to do likewise.
Top tip: Handicap draw -1 at 100/30
Colchester v Doncaster
These two sides have just one win between them from the opening three gameweeks of the Sky Bet League 1 season, so neutrals could be forgiven for eyeing up a draw at 11/5.
They yet to win, home advantage makes Colchester 6/4 favourites, while the visitors can be backed to claim their second victory of the league season at 17/10. Only one of the six games involving one of these two teams has gone under 2.5 goals, and that was Doncaster’s credible 1-1 draw with Preston on Tuesday.
It’s 9/2 for another 1-1 draw on Saturday, which is the most likely outcome according to Sky Bet’s correct score odds.
Top tip: Over 2.5 goals at 10/11
Fleetwood v Chesterfield
Fleetwood are the Sky Bet League 1 team of the moment, but they’re only marginal favourites over Saturday’s visitors Chesterfield, who’ve made a bright start having come up from the fourth tier. Fleetwood are 7/5 favourites with the Spireites rated 7/4, while a draw has been given a decent chance at 9/4.
Neither of the two sides has played out a draw yet in the six games involving Fleetwood and Chesterfield, and it’s 1/3 for either side to win in Sky Bet’s ‘Double Chance’ market. Two of Fleetwood’s three wins have been by a solitary goal, while both of Chesterfield have been by a scoreline of 2-1. It’s 3/1 for Fleetwood to win by one and 9/1 for the visitors to win 2-1.
Top tip: Both teams to score at 4/6
Leyton Orient v Walsall
These two sides boast just one win between them after three rounds of games in the Sky Bet League 1 season, and another draw can be backed at 12/5. Hosts Orient are the favourites though, as they’re rated 4/5 compared to visitors Walsall at 100/30.
Both sides have already been involved in goalless draws and it’s 15/2 for that outcome again, though a 1-0 home win is the most likely final score, according to Sky Bet’s correct score odds.
Having said that, both teams have scored in four of the six games involving the O’s and the Saddlers, and a 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 draw is available at 7/2 in Sky Bet’s correct score group betting market.
Top tip: Both teams to score at 10/11
MK Dons v Coventry
Having already put six points on the board, MK Dons are the favourites as Coventry travel to Stadium MK on Saturday, with the Sky Blues given odds of 3/1 to upset. That makes Karl Robinson’s men 4/5 favourites, while a draw is on offer at 13/5.
The hosts are the division’s top scorers with seven goals, while Coventry have scored in each of their three games, so this game does promise to entertain. Both teams have been on the receiving end of 3-2 defeats already, and it’s 22/1 for a home win with the same scoreline, while Coventry are 33/1 to win 3-2.
Top tip: Both teams to score at 4/7
Port Vale v Notts County:
Port Vale are 6/5 favourites for Saturday’s clash with Notts County as they look to build on their unbeaten start, with Notts County 2/1 chances. The Vale have registered two draws and a win but are still hefty odds for promotion at 18/1, while Saturday’s visitors registered their first points last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Colchester and are slightly shorter at 14/1 to go up.
Tom Pope heads the first goalscorer market at 9/2 having netted in all three Sky Bet League 1 games, while he also bagged a brace in the Capital One Cup 6-2 victory over Hartlepool. Ronan Murray is considered the Magpies’ leading contender to open the scoring at 13/2 having done so against the Us, while Liam Noble is 14/1 to net last after scoring the winner in midweek.
Both teams have scored in each of Vale’s first four games in all competitions and Football League sponsor Sky Bet go 8/13 for that trend to continue.
Top Tip: Both teams to score at 8/13
Preston North End v Oldham Athletic:
Preston are 8/13 with Sky Bet to continue their fine start with a victory over Oldham on Saturday. Indeed, the Latics are actually the biggest-priced outsiders in the Sky Bet League 1 fixtures this weekend at 4/1.
Lee Johnson’s men held free-scoring Port Vale to a 1-1 draw midweek and will be looking to register a first victory of the season at Deepdale. The Lilywhites’ unbeaten start has seen them cut to 6/1 for the title and 2/1 for promotion, while their visitors are 9/4 joint third favourites for relegation.
Their Joe Garner heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 having netted three times already this season, while Chris Humphrey is 11/4 to score in a third successive game. However, James Wilson could tempt at hefty odds of 40/1 to break the deadlock after heading home the equaliser midweek.
Top tip: Both teams to score at 5/6
Rochdale v Bristol City:
Rochdale are marginal outsiders at 19/10 with Football League sponsor Sky Bet as they welcome an in-form Bristol City to Spotland. While the Robins have collected seven points so far this season, Dale will have gained plenty of confidence from Tuesday night’s emphatic 5-2 victory at Crewe.
Keith Hill’s men are 200/1 to win by the same scoreline on Saturday and 16/1 to score three or more goals. Matt Done bagged a hat-trick in that win and is also 200/1 to net a treble again this weekend, while rated 11/2 just to score in 90 minutes.
The visitors marginal favourites at 11/8 to win this match as they look to maintain their impressive start to the season. Their Sam Baldock heads the first goalscorer market at 9/2 despite failing to find the net so far this season, while Aaron Wilbraham is 5/1 having netted three goals in as many starts this season.
Best bet: Draw and both teams to score at 3/1
Sheffield United v Crawley Town:
Sheffield United return to Bramall Lane with their first three points in the bag in Sky Bet League 1 but opponents Crawley have impressed in the opening weeks of the season.
The Blades were 2-1 winners at Peterborough midweek and are 7/10 to follow it up with another three points on Saturday. John Gregory’s men lost their 100 per cent record with a home defeat by Bradford City on Tuesday and are 15/4 to bounce back with a victory.
The draw is a 5/2 chance. New United recruit Michael Higdon heads the market to grab the opening goal at 4/1 with Izale McLeod heading the Crawley field to do likewise at 13/2.
Top Tip: Michael Higdon and Izale McLeod both to score at 6/1
Swindon Town v Crewe Alexandra:
Swindon start as favourites to take all three points from Crewe in Sky League 1.
The Robins, who have one win, one draw and one defeat to their name so far, and are 7/10 for another victory with the draw on offer at 13/5 and Crewe’s first win of the campaign an 18/5 shot.
The Railwaymen have lost all three games to date and conceded nine goals in the process but will be looking to new recruit Marcus Haber to kick-start their season. He has found the net twice already and is 15/2 to score the opening goal of the game.
Michael Smith, who scored two in Swindon’s opening-day win over Scunthorpe is 10/11 to add to his tally and 9/2 to bag another brace.
Top Tip: Over 2.5 goals at 5/6
Yeovil Town v Scunthorpe United:
A midweek win over Walsall has pushed Yeovil into favouritism for the visit of fellow early season Sky Bet League 1 strugglers Scunthorpe. Gary Johnson’s men are 21/10 to follow up their midweek win with another three points as they look to regain their Championship status at the first attempt.
The draw is offered at 12/5 while Scunthorpe are 23/10 to return home with the spoils. James Hayter scored the Glovers’ first goal of the season on Tuesday and is 5/1 favourite to score the game’s opening goal on Saturday.
Paddy Madden has scored Scunthorpe’s only league goal so far this season and he is 7/4 to add to his tally at Huish Park.
Top Tip: Over 3.5 goals at 2/1
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