Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
4/10 Wolves +0.75ah 1.85
Bournemouth are not in any sort of form for the first time this season. Five games without a victory has left them drifting out to fifth and are five points behind top spot, it does not make good reading for the Cherries.
Matt Ritchie is likely to return to side while others are expected to be rotated as they look to change their recent luck. Mark Pugh is doubtful following a knee injury while Eunan O’Kane and Dan Gosling remain injured Wolverhampton Wanderers have won their last three games without conceding a goal while scoring nine on the way and victory tonight can see them go level with their opponents.
Wolves have no new injuries worries and welcome Republic of Ireland international, Kevin Doyle back into the squad after he missed the weekend’s game. Carl Ikeme and Tommy Rowe continue to be side-lined.
Bakary Sako is on top form with four goals in his last three and causes any defence in the division problems, and in my opinion is certainly a player who would not look out of place in most Premier League sides.
The last time these two sides met was in the reverse fixture where two red cards for Wolves ended in a Bournemouth win. This was a very controversial game and one which Wolves will want revenge after they felt robbed from referee decisions.
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Accrington Stanley v Shrewsbury Town
2/10 Accrington +0.5ah 1.98
The value certainly swings with the home side here. Centre back Dean Winnard who was rumoured to be out should start which is a boost. Stanley manager John Coleman described Winnard as “the best defender in the league”.
Accrington did however lose at the weekend to a very decent Luton Town side, 2-0 but I think Shrewsbury will not offer as much as they did at the start of the season.
Recently Stanley beat league leaders Burton at home and are very capable of replicating a similar result here. Shrewsbury showed signs of weakness as they lost 2-1 to Northampton over the weekend and Shrewsbury’s captain Liam Lawrence (ex-Sunderland) is likely to miss this game again, which is a big big loss.
James Wesolowski and Nat Knight-Percival are also out for the remainder of the season and Andy Mangan is still no closer to a comeback for the away team.
Gateshead v Wrexham
2/10 Gateshead to win 2.02
Gateshead still have outside dreams of a play-off spot while Wrexham have one aim and one aim only for the rest of the season and that is to win the FA Trophy. The league table has them on track for a midtable finish and after celebrating a Semi Final victory on Saturday I am sure the players will be distracted with their trip to Wembley in four weeks’ time truly on their mind.
Wrexham are 20 points behind the Play Offs and will know it is unrealistic that they will catch up with the likes of in form Forest Green. Gateshead won the reverse tie 3-0 in Wales and will be aiming to replicate that performance in which they “did a job” on their opponents. It should be a tighter game but one where I give the “Heed” the advantage.
Swindon v Gillingham
2/10 Gillingham +1AH 1.99
Swindon are aiming for promotion and are usually in and around the Play Offs each year in League One. This season, an automatic spot is very much possible and the Robins are on good form too as they approach the home straight for the season. Swindon have many injury issues for the game though, with midfielder Louis Thompson being stretchered off at the weekend and missing tonight’s tie, Anton Rodgers has a broken wrist and Jack Stephens is suspended for the game tonight. Ben Gladwin is a doubt.
Gillingham were seven games unbeaten before the weekend where they lost 1-0 to a decent Barnsley outfit, and will be looking to bounce back here as they have an outside chance of a Play Off spot but are also not too far from the bottom of the table- so points are vital.
Justin Edinburgh’s side are very organised and a hard team to play at any point. Bradley Garmston is out while Josh Pritchard is a doubt. Aaron Morris may return though. I cannot see the Gills getting rolled over here and could easily snatch a point and maybe maximum points.
Braintree v Macclesfield
2/10 Macclesfield +0.25AH 1.85
Macclesfield got totally and utterly thrashed at the weekend, losing 4-0 on television away at Eastleigh. It was a totally dreadful performance and one which may confirm that automatic promotion will be one step too far for the Conference overachievers. This doesn’t turn the Macc into a poor side overnight though, and Eastleigh away is a different proposition to Braintree who are a tough side to beat but offer far less in attack than big budget Eastleigh.
Braintree will finish mid table while Macclesfield need to bounce back as they have a battle on their hands to hold on to a spot in the Play Offs.
Watford v Fulham
1/10 Fulham +1AH 1.78
Tonight’s match appears to be a much closer contest than it seemed four days ago. Over the weekend Fulham played the best they have done all season by defeating Derby County 2-0, a game which could have been four or five to the home side, they were that good. Fulham are still not safe from relegation and need to keep wining to ensure safety as well as to keep their ambitious Chairman happy.
Lasse Vigen Christensen misses out through injury and Scott Parker is likely to be rested but expect Tim Hoogland to possibly come in on his return from injury who is very capable at this level, or Manchester City loanee Fofana who has impressed during his spell at the club.
Kackaniklic is likely to replace Christensen and a Swedish international at this level is a very decent replacement. Matt Smith is also available after a loan spell with Bristol City which saw him score over ten goals.
Watford have been excellent though having won three in a row and seven of their last nine and find themselves in fourth place despite a manic start to the season off the field. Striker, Odion Ighalo (14 goals in his last 10 league games) returns which is a boost for them but I believe the teams are much closer than the odds have them. Gabriele Angella is likely replace Joel Ekstrand who went off injured against Leeds on Saturday.
Rotherham v Cardiff
1/10 Rotherham 0ah 1.82
Rotherham continue their massive battle to avoid relegation in their first season back in the Championship. Over the weekend they nailed a huge morale boosting victory over relegation rivals Millwall at home and will be looking to follow that up here in another game at the New York Stadium.
The Millers are six points above the bottom three and are unbeaten in four games as well as winning three of their last four home games. Rotherham should have their captain Craig Morgan back for tonight’s game which is another additional boost and apart from that have everyone fit and ready.
Cardiff are struggling for form and have not won in four games in all competitions. A big loss for the visitors Cardiff will be the suspended Peter Whittingham who was sent off at the weekend, previous to this, Whittingham had played every single minute of the season. Cardiff lost to Wolves on Saturday and are not looking convincing to say the least. Former Manchester United full back Fabio is no closer to a return is the other injury news.
Cardiff struggle to create and there is no reason why Rotherham cannot continue forward from Saturdays vital result to win again against a Cardiff side struggling for identity.
Sutton Utd v Bromley
1/10 Bromley to win 1.80
Bromley may well be without several players due to injury and suspension (Rob Swaine, Anthony Cook, Ben May, Pierre Joseph-Duboi) but these same players were out over the weekend where Bromley went on to win impressively 2-1 against Chelmsford City.
Jamie Slabber who did not play at the weekend may be fit to return. Moses Ademola scored both goals and continues to prove to be one of the best players in the division and I can envisage at least another goal for Ademola tonight. Sutton United are no world beaters but also won at the weekend, beating bottom of the table Staines Town.
0.5/10 Halifax x Hemel Hempstead x Bromley treble- 5.25
A lower league treble. Three teams that all should win in their own right and will keep me interested in those games.
