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After the betting weekend from hell for Simon Pilkington, our expert punter is hoping to get back on track with League One and Two tips on Saturday

It was bound to happen sooner rather than later; just as night follows day, the gambling gods deemed it the right time to let us feel their wrath and wreak havoc over our latest winnings by throwing up the betting week from hell.

I’d touched on it last week; about the need to be conservative and not let the recent wins make us too adventurous in the weeks ahead and I couldn’t have been more right. As I look back at the selections I made last week, I still stand by them and believe I should have got more than the £30 loss that I registered.

"The gambling Gods deemed it the right time to let us feel their wrath and wreak havoc over our latest winnings by throwing up the betting week from hell" - Simon on his last week's betting nightmare

It’s not ideal, but it happens and for the first time this season, I see the overall bankroll is in negative for the first time – okay, it’s not much, only £5.50, but it still needs rectifying.

This week isn’t the time to get heavily involved though – I’m not a fan of international breaks so early in the season and even less of a fan of betting on them. However, there is a full schedule in League’s One and Two and I will focus my attentions on them later.

There was one winner that I was aware of and that was a Mr David O’Connor who was the winner of a £20 bet from Paddy Power in the Diary of a Punter’s weekly competition. He managed to win this thanks to Arsenal beating Liverpool at 5/2 (3.50) so congratulations to him. There were a plenty of entries that went close, including a couple of multiples that would have won the prize had they come in. So don’t forget to get involved next week – see more details below of how to enter. 

Swindon to win to nil (Leyton Orient) at 6/4 (2.50) with Paddy Power

My first bet this week involves Swindon Town against Leyton Orient. Firstly, Robins manager Paolo Di Canio is properly mental isn’t he?! Subbing his 21-year-old keeper after 20 minutes and a bit of a beating from Preston, before humiliating him in a live TV interview. That said, whilst he is sitting on the crazier side of the fence, he does get results playing some good football along the way.

Leyton Orient on the other hand still haven’t got a point and have only scored one goal thus far, conceding five along the way. Swindon’s home form is played two, won two, whilst Orient’s away form is played two, lost two. Currently Swindon to win to nil is trading at 6/4 (2.50) with Paddy Power and that will be a £20 bet from my bankroll. 

HT Draw/FT Torquay win (vs Plymouth) at 4/1 (5.00) with Paddy Power

My final bet of the week is in the Devon derby when Torquay take on Plymouth. The former were my pick for League Two at the start of the season and I have seen enough to suggest that they should be there or thereabouts come the business end. Martin Ling has them playing well and has them well organised and I expect it’s a matter of time before a lot of the draws (three out of four this season) turn into wins.

Their Devon rivals, Plymouth have had a torrid couple of years and have plummeted down the football League again. They find themselves with four points so far though and it looks like safety shouldn’t be a problem.

Looking at the head-to-head for these two teams, Torquay have had the slight upper hand, winning two and drawing one of the last three games they played but interestingly in both of those victories all the goals came in the second half. Whilst I was tempted with the 0-0 half time score line (currently best price 15/8 (2.88) with Paddy Power), I am going to opt for the HT Draw/FT Torquay result which is currently trading at 4/1 (5.00) with Paddy Power. £10 of my bank roll is going on this. Whichever way you decide to go with your betting this weekend, the best of luck.

Don't forget that we've got a £20 free bet to give away each week thanks to Paddy Power. To win just email your best tip for the weekend with the word "Win20" in the subject line to betting@goal.com.

Be it a well-priced single, an ambitious multiple or any other bet available in all of Paddy Power's football markets around the world for games taking place from 8th-9th September. Last week a 5/2 (3.50) winner took the prize; surely you can beat that! Just send in your selection, the price available at Paddy Power, and include "Win20" in the subject line before midday on Saturday to enter. Good luck!

Diary of a Punter: Simon's Selections this week

Balance at the start of the week: £494.50

Profit on the season: -£5.50

Swindon to win to nil (vs Leyton Orient) at 6/4 (2.50) with Paddy Power

HT Draw/FT Torquay win (vs Plymouth) at 4/1 (5.00) with Paddy Power

Total staked this week: £30

Sign up with Paddy Power for up to £250 in free bets

Simon Pilkington is a sports writer, an avid supporter of Liverpool FC and has been betting on sports for the past 13 years. Follow Simon on

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