The Accumulator: Reading v Bristol City and eight other Football League fixtures that could see you win big this weekend
Goal.com previews all the action on offer from the Football League plus an exclusive offer for Goal readers if 8 out of 9 selections are correct
27 Jan 2012 14:30:00
By Jim Knight and Richard Parry
 FIRST BET |
CHAMPIONSHIP |
| Reading |
VS
|
Bristol City |
| Forecast: |
HOME WIN
|
| Peterborough |
VS
|
Portsmouth |
| Forecast: |
HOME WIN
|
| YOUR BET RETURNS... |
| £1 BET COLLECTS £3.80 |
£5 BET COLLECTS £19 |
£10 BET COLLECTS £38 |
Reading’s recent form may appear a little patchy but they are a solid side at the Madejski Stadium, winning four of their last five there in the Championship. Meanwhile Bristol City have struggled on the road, losing four of their last five games away from home. Another worrying factor for Derek McInnes is that his side scored just a solitary goal during that run of games. Reading’s ability to score late and solid home form should see them claim three points.
Neither of these sides have been on a good run in the league, in fact, both have lost their last three consecutive games. That said, Peteborough have already beaten Portsmouth this season, no mean feat in itself and have won five of their six home games against teams outside the top 10. The visitors are in financial trouble yet again and that could spell trouble in the medium term. The more immediate issue is their failure to win on the road against a team in the bottom half and Peterborough should have enough to grind out a win.
|
|
|
SECOND BET |
LEAGUE ONE |
| Rochdale |
VS
|
Bury |
| Forecast: |
AWAY WIN
|
| Exeter |
VS
|
Charlton |
| Forecast: |
AWAY WIN
|
| Tranmere |
VS
|
Huddersfield |
| Forecast: |
AWAY WIN
|
| YOUR BET RETURNS... |
| £1 BET COLLECTS £10 |
£5 BET COLLECTS £50 |
£10 BET COLLECTS £100 |
Rochdale look in real trouble in League One this season, they are 23rd in the table and have lost three of their last four games, scoring only once. They host a Bury side who are holding their own since promotion from League Two and have picked up more points on their travels than at Gigg Lane in this campaign. The Shakers have a great record against teams in the bottom six and should notch another victory in this game.
Exeter are on a run of four games unbeaten in the league and have tightened up defensively but they face an uphill challenge against league leaders Charlton. Chris Powell’s side have won four out of their last five in the league, keeping three clean sheets along the way. Exeter are looking to make a surge away from the bottom four but they are yet to beat a side in the top half this season and The Addicks should extend their winning run here.
Tranmere are yet to register a victory since the turn of the year and have slipped down the table at an alarming rate since their impressive start to the season. Huddersfield look in ominous form and under the stewardship of Lee Clark look like genuine automatic promotion material again this year. The visitors have won three consecutive games and are unbeaten on the road since they played Charlton in November. Another away win looks to be on the cards.
|
|
|
THIRD BET |
LEAGUE TWO |
| Torquay |
VS
|
Northampton |
| Forecast: |
HOME WIN
|
| AFC Wimbledon |
VS
|
Aldershot |
| Forecast: |
HOME WIN
|
| Bristol Rovers |
VS
|
Bradford City |
| Forecast: |
HOME WIN
|
| Macclesfield |
VS
|
Cheltenham |
| Forecast: |
AWAY WIN
|
| YOUR BET RETURNS... |
| £1 BET COLLECTS £18.50 |
£5 BET COLLECTS £92.50 |
£10 BET COLLECTS £185 |
Torquay are looking to extend their winning run which currently stands at four games against the club bottom of the Football League, Northampton Town. Aidy Boothroyd’s side have actually been more effective on the road, winning four of their 13 league games but all of those victories came against sides now in the bottom half. Torquay have the momentum and a win here will help them cement their claims for a play-off place.
AFC Wimbledon have been much improved since the turn of the year, winning their last three league games and showing great resilience. Conversely, Aldershot look in disarray. The Shots have lost four of their last six and didn’t register a goal in any of those half dozen games. With Wimbledon scoring eight in their last three, the visitors will have to improve significantly to get anything out of this one.
A change of management appears to have improved the fortunes of Bristol Rovers, and the hosts are building an unbeaten run which has seen them pick up seven points in three games and concede only once. Bradford have shown glimpses of quality but have struggled on the road, winning just once, albeit against league leaders Southend. With a new approach and the resources at his disposal, Mark McGhee should lead his Rovers side to another victory at the Memorial Stadium.
Macclesfield have had a miserable start to 2012, losing all four of their league fixtures since the turn of the year. Cheltenham fell victim to a rejuvenated Bristol Rovers side last week but should get back on track and keep up with Southend and Crawley at the summit of League Two. The Robins have already picked up seven away wins and despite Macclesfield being better at home than away, the visitors should have enough to get back to winning ways.
|
THE |
ACCUMULATOR |
| CHAMPIONSHIP |
ODDS |
| LEAGUE ONE |
ODDS |
| LEAGUE TWO |
ODDS |
| TOTAL ODDS |
| YOUR BET RETURNS... |
| £1 BET COLLECTS £711 |
£5 BET COLLECTS £3555 |
£10 BET COLLECTS £7110 |
Rochdale look in real trouble in League One this season, they are 23rd in the table and have lost three of their last four games, scoring only once. They host a Bury side who are holding their own since promotion from League Two and have picked up more points on their travels than at Gigg Lane in this campaign. The Shakers have a great record against teams in the bottom six and should notch another victory in this game.
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?
Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?
-
Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
