Coventry v Luton Betting Tips
The first of our December 15th League One betting tips takes us to Coventry. The Sky Blues go into the week sitting 11th in the table; this follows a poor run of form that has dragged them down the pecking order. Coventry were well respected in the pre-season promotion betting and even attracted bits and pieces of attention to finish as League One champions; however, it hasn’t gone to plan for them so far and a term spent fighting for points in mid-table looks far more likely, unless they can stop the rot, and fast.
Eight wins against eight defeats and five draws is to blame for their season hanging in the balance; the 29 points on the board means they are already a dozen off Luton and the automatic promotion places; however, they are also a dozen better than the relegation zone. Results over the course of the next few weeks will be crucial to what fans can expect in the remainder of this campaign. The locals have lost each of their last two and picked up just two points from 15 available to them. If they do fail to gain promotion they’ll look back at December as being the cause.
Hatters driving at the title
Luton are back in the mix for the major places and; at this stage of the season they have every chance of gaining promotion to the Championship as league winners. 12 wins, five draws and four defeats placed them second in the pecking order after 21 games played. They are within six points of Portsmouth who were in action in midweek. Four wins on the spin has driven The Hatters towards the prizes and automatic promotion looks a real possibility at present. We certainly wouldn’t be in a rush to oppose them, that’s for sure.
The visitors were last seen adding another three points courtesy of a hard-fought win over Fleetwood at home, a result that moved the team into the silver medal position. Cornick broke the deadlock inside 11 minutes to give the victors a bit of breathing space and the game was put to bed when Morgan knocked the ball into his own net with 80 on the clock; this ended any hopes his employers had of staging a late fightback to get something to show for their efforts. Surprisingly, Luton finished with just two shots on target, but scored with each and that’s the difference.
Go with the form
Coventry may enjoy home advantage and rank as a side more than capable of winning the points; however, sometimes you’ve got to play it simple. Luton are higher in the league, having won four and drawn one of their last five. Their opponents are staring at mid-table after three defeats and two draws in their last five. On paper this is a case of going with the form side of the two and picking an away win.
Bookmakers agree and have priced Luton as favourites for the points with backers having to make do with 11/10 at Coral. That’s not a bad offer and can be put to good use in multiples. The draw has been judged as the next most likely outcome here at 23/10 with Bet365 and there’s 11/4 with the same firm on the locals, which is market best price. We’re more than happy to follow the money and go for another Luton win. Both teams to score is a lively alternative at 4/6 with most firms, including Ladbrokes.
Our Tip: Luton to win – 11/10 at Coral
Sunderland v Bristol Rovers Betting Tips
The next of our December 15th League One betting tips sees us travel up north to Sunderland. Sunderland started the round in third place; however, they have games in hand over the two teams above them in the division and will regain their place in the top-two if they are able to pick-up the slack and win the remaining fixtures. They have been impressive in this division so far; they have won 11, drawn seven and lost just once; however, it’s a campaign that must end in promotion as they are too big a side to be playing League One football for any length of time. If they are as good in the second-half of the season as the first, there’s little doubt they will get the desired result and move back into the second tier of English football.
Sunderland followed two league draws with a win when last in action at this level, beating Barnsley 4-2 at the end of November. McGeady opened the scoring that day from the penalty spot on 19 minutes; that was added to by goals from Maja, Gooch and O’Nien. They then had a couple of cup matches to sort out, drawing 1-1 away to Walsall in the FA Cup and beating Notts County 2-0 in the second round of the EFL Trophy. A trip to Accrington Stanley was called off last weekend due to a waterlogged pitch; however, the break won’t do them any harm. Home win is our pick at 4/7 (Ladbrokes).
Rovers sinking fast
Bristol Rovers have been sucked into the relegation zone on the back of a woeful run of form. A win followed by four defeats on the bounce has dragged them down to 21st, sitting two points better than bottom club Bradford City who are in freefall. The visitors are already four points behind Scunthorpe United and safety but there’s plenty of football still to be played and we don’t expect anyone to panic just yet.
Bristol were last spotted ending on the wrong side of a 4-0 home thrashing at the hands of Doncaster Rovers. Not a team known for handing out high scoring beatings; however, they encountered little trouble getting past a generous defence that day. Marquis got the ball moving with an opener on 10 minutes; Wilks helped himself to a double; then Anderson rounded things off. The beaten side finished with no less than 20 shots at goal, but put only three on target and will know they have only themselves to blame. Away win has been scored out as a 5/1 outsider with Bet365, the draw available at 3/1 with the same firm. A nervy defence and misfiring attack spells trouble.