Midweek English Divisions - 9/10 March

[Paul Ross]

Middlesbrough v Tottenham
I reckon Boro can win this one. I know their home record hasn't been great this season but the parading of the Carling Cup on Sunday will have brought a great deal of confidence back to the team. Tottenham can be a very good side at home but away they're rather dodgy and their defence is leaking goals like there's no tomorrow.

Middlesbrough v Tottenham

Leaving the Carling Cup run out of the equation and just looking at the Premiership, Middlesbrough's apparant rock-solid defence isn't backed up by the stats - just one clean sheet in their last 10 PL outings.

Tottenham on the other hand have renewed confidence in front of goal, scoring four goals in EACH of their last three PL games. Yes, they have been leaking goals aswell, but with Boro hardly prolific in front of goal, I'm prepared to take a chance on this one.

Small stake on Tottenham (2.80)

Next time, I'll remember to click the HTML button!!!

LOL

York City actually led the Division 3 table early doors, that seems an age ago now with The Minstermen opposable IMO v Scunthorpe 7/4 (Corals Bet 365) on Tuesday night.

Rookie boss Chris Brass probably wondered what all the fuss was about back in August when his side got off to a winning start, but a steady decline in fortunes leaves City not too far off the relegation dogfight. City embark on a run of three consecutive home matches which should dictate whether Brass can relax come April. York's 7 defeats and 2 draws in the last 9 has dumped them bottom of the form guide,a chronic lack of goals with only Carlisle scoring less has been a problem all year.

While City were abject in defeat at Kidderminster on Saturday, Scunthorpe's recent gradual improvement gathered pace with a resounding success over Yeovil. Manager Brian Laws is hoping Scunny can kick start their season again having witnessed encouraging displays of late v leaders Doncaster, Northampton and Lincoln. Laws acted quickly to recruit sacked Grimsby manager Paul Groves to strengthen his midfield in the abscence of Peter Beagrie, while the loan addition of Darren Holloway has added some extra bite to that domain. More importantly for Laws top scorer Steve Maclean rediscovered the net v Yeovil and a renewed goal surge cannot be ruled out.

This is not a match to put the mortgage on and a draw saver could be wise, but IMO Scunthorpe are no more than 6/4 pokes and may just be worth a look.

The non stop opposing of Wimbledon should continue IMO with an obvious looking defeat on paper at West Ham. At around 1/4 though Hammers are too short for my liking, therefore maybe over 2 goals in the match @ 4/6 (Bet 365) has more appeal.

Hammers may have grossly underachieved v Walsall but have a point to prove and are surely not about to blow this one, we will see.

FA

I think a small stake on Spurs may be worth while. We're missing Simon Davies and Freddie Kanoute which are both big blows but more importantly, our best defender Anthony Gardner returns. With Gardner playing in 2004 we have conceded about a goal a game whereas with Dean Richards playing we concede about 3.5 a game. Richards is truely woeful. Gardner's return coupled with the brilliant form of Keane and Defoe gives Spurs a great chance imo.

Two eveningly matched sides, both have been scoring and conceding more goals than average since the turn of the year, so I am unlike most expecting above average goals, so some Value there. Boro have Juninho and Mendieta returning after been rested in the defeat at Brum last week. Mills out suspended will probably be replaced by the useful Parnaby. Boro paraded Carling Cup in front of 100,000 people on Sunday (in a town with a Population of 157,000), which showed the players what it meant to win. I think the majority of the players will respond with a positive performance and avoid defeat. Spurs have only beaten Boro once in the last 10 meetings. The signing of Defoe (excellent) and to a lesser extent Brown has bolsted their squad and attacking quality, so adding to the goals theory. I also think Juninho at 9/4 to score anytime is value. He is backto to his form of 96/7 and the 9 days rest would have helped him. The Brum display by Boro was typically after the Lord Mayor's Show, and I think the players will want to bounce back from that, in front of a big crowd.

The fixture has a history of draws, and Spurs have had a nice break, so with the chance of a draw being high, I would advise lay Spurs.

Update on Boro Youth Cup run (16/1 recommendation) they are through to two legged Semi against Crewe. Man United the favourites were beaten 2-0 at Blackburn. Blackburn and Villa nowfavourites.

[dave]

Tranmere are dreadful away from home, while Brighton are very good at home. Very difficult to see past a home win.

Boro v Spurs

Corels have B.Zenden priced up at 9/1 to score during the 90 mins (same price as 1st scorer), have placed a couple of quid and it went throught OK. Might be worth a look if anyone interested!!!!!!!!!

[PompeyPunt]

You want find very high odds on West Ham, but is there any chance of anything except the home win? A blip at home to Walsall for the hammers, but in general since Pardew has come in they been in cracking form. Wimbledon have lost god knows how many in a row, and already starting planning for Div 2 by their own ommision a long time ago. I can find anything to put me off, can anyone else?

Just seen the team for Carlisle tonight and with the news that Paul Simpson is out this evening I wouldn't touch us with a barge pole personally as most of the good creative play comes through him.

Must admit I'm tempted to go for Huddersfield in this one. A win and they'll go 2nd so surely they'll be up for it.

As for Carlisle I think their bubbles burst and there now doomed to the conference. They produced a nice little run a few weeks ago and looked they might just escape the trap door but after last weekend's thrashing I think they realise themselves its just a question of time.

West Ham are certs against the Don's who are down to their last fit 10 senior players. The Hammers will want to make amends for last weekends result, the only problem its a long price at 1.25.

[kompressaur]

Thanks for the Scunny FA Well done yourself and all the other winners.

Thanks for the tips, FA. I'll be following you closely


Keep the bookies

Sunderland look like value at home to Preston, generally 4/5. But I am hu7ngover after celebrating the fall of United. :sleeping