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League One betting preview
Milton Keynes Dons v Hartlepool United, Saturday, 12.15pm
The Sky cameras will be at Stadium: MK on Saturday lunchtime and it’s been a decent start to the season for the Dons, who have won two and lost one of their opening three matches. Karl Robinson’s teams are strong favourites to continue their 100% record in front of their own supporters, with William Hill offering 3/4 that they prove too strong for their north-east opponents.
It’s worth noting that all five of the Dons’ matches to date have involved three goals or more, including a 4-3 win over Blackpool in the Carling Cup. We shouldn’t be surprised if Over 2.5 Goals occurs once again, with bet365 offering 4/5 about this outcome and 2/1 that there are four goals or more.
Hartlepool have had an eventful start to their season, losing manager Graham Turner, although bet365 offer 4/1 that they pull off an away win and they are unbeaten on the road thus far.
Southampton v Rochdale, 3pm
It was a major surprise to see Alan Pardew relieved of his duties earlier this week and the Saints are now searching for a new manager, with Sky Bet including Alan Shearer and Gianfranco Zola as favourites to take over at St Mary’s. Caretaker boss Dean Wilkins will just be focused on getting three points after an eventful week and bet365 offer 8/15 that the home side manage a maximum haul.
It’s not something that Southampton managed to do against Leyton Orient or Plymouth, although last Saturday’s 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers hints at brighter times ahead, especially with Ricky Lambert among the goals. The striker is 7/2 with Bet Fred to open the scorer, with strike partner Lee Barnard on offer at odds of 9/2 (bet365).
Rochdale were promoted from League Two last season and will have nothing to lose from going forth and attacking opponents who lost 3-0 at home to Swindon during the week in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Ladbrokes offer 6/1 that the Lancashire side come away with a win, just as they did when triumphing 3-1 at Brentford a week ago.
Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday, Sunday, midday
It’s bottom versus top at Griffin Park on Sunday lunchtime and the Owls are strong favourites to maintain their flying start to the season by collecting the three points. Some might consider the 5/4 (bet365) currently available about an away win as value, with Sheffield Wednesday having won five matches already this season, including a 5-0 tonking of Hartlepool last weekend.
The striker pairing of Marcus Tudgay (11/2 Blue Square) and Neil Mellor (11/2 Sky Bet) could take some stopping on Sunday, with Clinton Morrison (13/2 Blue Square) waiting in the wings to cause some damage.
Brentford have had a poor start to their campaign, leaving manager Andy Scott with plenty of head-scratching ahead of this fixture. They did manage to recently beat Hull in the Carling Cup and it’s 12/5 (Ladbrokes) that they put another Yorkshire opponent to the sword in front of the cameras and kickstart their campaign.
