Burton v Portsmouth
The first of our April 19 League One betting tips is for Burton v Portsmouth. This match will be shown live on Sky Sports from 3.00pm on Good Friday and the schedulers have chosen wisely with a cracking game expected as both sides battle for the points needed to boost their play-off claims. Burton go into the week sitting ninth, needing nine points to catch a Doncaster Rovers side in sixth who have hit form and are showing no signs of giving up their place in the play-offs. That would suggest Albion have missed their chance this season, but they are experienced enough to ensure they’ll fight to the finish and the live TV coverage is also sure to force a reaction in the dressing room. Home advantage isn’t enough to see them win over traders who offer the locals as 2/1 (Bet365) second favourites, the draw 11/5 with the same bookie.
Top Form
Portsmouth are on a stunning run of form that has seen them collect 15 points from their last five games to keep alive their dreams of going up to the Championship without the need for the lottery of play-off football. They are just seven points off leaders Luton at this stage, and although a title win looks unlikely at this stage, The Hatters have dropped points in three of their last five, so it remains a possibility. Pompey will have one eye on Barnsley in second, a club just two better at this stage of the season. There’s a real buzz about the away dressing room and we’ll trust them at the 7/5 offered by William Hill. Good enough to back as a super single and better than expected.
Our Tip: Portsmouth to win – 7/5 at William Hill
Barnsley v Shrewsbury
Barnsley start second in the pile and have just five points to find to match Luton, but to do that they will have to seriously improve on their recent form, having won just two of their last five. They did collect a maximum last time out and another victory would see them pile pressure on The Hatters who aren’t out until Saturday, making their match as uncomfortable as possible. Traders seem convinced the home win is the way to play this one and Bet365 are giving no more than 4/7 on Barnsley grabbing a crucial win. That’s worth a place in your accumulators.
Nothing to Play For
Shrewsbury don’t have a lot to play for in 13th, with the relegation zone six points behind – the bottom-four showing no signs of applying any real pressure – while the prize places are already 19 points over the hill and off into the distance. A midtable finish is on the cards but the visitors have won three and drawn one of their last five, so shouldn’t be written off too easily. Bookies offer 6/1 – top price at Unibet – and there’s value in that, but we’ll stick to our guns and back the home side as they have more to play for.
Our Tip: Barnsley to win – 4/7 at Bet365
Sunderland v Doncaster
This match goes at the slightly later time of 5.15pm due to the Sky Sports coverage but it will be one well worth waiting on as Sunderland look to keep alive their hopes of gate-crashing the title party. The Black Cats haven’t been quite as impressive this season as expected, but they are in the mix for promotion back to the Championship and, like Portsmouth, look a team who have finally put their problems behind them. The hosts lost last time and have taken one point from six, but we’re having our cash down on a home win at 4/5 (Bet365). An interesting price.
Flying Up the Ranks
Doncaster have come out of nowhere, winning each of their last four to catapult themselves into sixth place and promotion contention through the play-offs, something that seemed unlikely back at the turn of the year. Sixth is as high as they will finish this season, but they have company in behind, with Peterborough in seventh just five points behind. Every point brings them a step closer to the finish line and traders have the draw priced at 13/5 (Unibet), an away win 15/4 – market best price with Bet365. The latter is sure to attract attention, given the form of both sides, but Sunderland should make full use of home advantage.
Our Tip: Sunderland to win – 4/5 at Bet365
Accrington v Luton
The last of our April 19 League One betting tips is for Accrington v Luton. It has been a disappointing season for an Accrington side who, back in the summer, looked capable of pushing for the prizes in League One and building on success of previous years. It hasn’t gone to plan for those loyal to the home dressing room and the locals set-up stuck down in 16th, a season record of 12 wins, 12 draws and 18 defeats leaving them with 48 points on the board. That’s just four better than AFC Wimbledon and the relegation zone, too close to comfort for everyone concerned.
They won last time out but have lost three and drawn one of their five most recent outings and we’d be surprised to see many punters trust them with their stake money on Saturday. Stanley are 17/4 with Unibet for two-in-a-row and that’s the best price you’ll get.
Race to the Finish
Luton looked home and hosed not too long ago as they raced towards the finish line as champions, but a wobble in the closing stages has knocked them off-course slightly and they have left the back door open for their rivals to make things uncomfortable in the final few games of the campaign.
The Hatters lost last time, taking their recent form to two wins, a couple of draws and that one defeat. Are nerves starting to creep into the camp? Will they be shot down in the weeks to come as they sprint for safety? Only time will tell but it’ll be fascinating for neutrals to watch and we’ll keep you up-to-date on it all. Traders give Luton the benefit of the doubt and have the away win as favourite, 13/20 offered by a number of major firms, including Unibet. That’s a little too tight, but they should get the better of a Stanley side low on confidence.