Sunderland v Accrington
The first of our best Feb 16 League One betting tips is for Sunderland v Accrington. Another exciting round of League One fixtures get started on Friday night when Sunderland aim to get the jump on their promotion rivals when welcoming Accrington Stanley to the Stadium of Light for a 7.45pm kick-off that’ll attract a bigger audience than usual. The home side went into the week in fourth place, five points behind Barnsley and the top-two automatic promotion spots. The table has changed dramatically recently with Luton and Barnsley now in control, leaving Portsmouth and Sunderland staring at a play-off finish, something both will be eager to avoid.
A run of draws has hampered The Black Cats’ progress of late and they have taken seven points from the last 15 available, that run made up of four draws and a win. Fans could look at it as an unbeaten run at a crucial stage of the season; however, many more will view that form as a failure to finish teams off that could cost them dear come the end of the season. They must get back to winning ways and they must do it as soon as possible. In front of their own support would be the perfect time to get things moving in the right direction again. The home win is favourite with bookies who offer 7/10 (Unibet) on a local cheer.
Stanley Written Off
Traders have been quick to put a line through the chances of Accrington and price them as outsiders of three in the match betting. The visitors haven’t been as impressive as they were last season; however, it’s always dangerous to write them off without a second thought as they are an ambitious side who, on their day, are capable of taking points off any opponent at this level. They won’t feature in the promotion race this term but can have a say in who does between now and the flag.
Accy started the week down in 16th with stats of 9-9-11 leaving them on 36 points, just three better than the relegation zone. It would rate as a major surprise if they were to finish in the bottom four, but stranger things have happened in English football, that’s for sure. The visitors have lost three and drawn two of their last five and were beaten again last weekend. There’s not a lot to inspire us into a bet on the away win, even with Bet365 handing out a bulky 9/2. That’s market best price, but we’d prefer to have Sunderland in our accumulators.
Our Tip: Sunderland to win – 7/10 at Unibet
Southend v Portsmouth
Southend United set-up for this match winless in their last three, following back-to-back defeats with a draw last time. Season form of 12 wins and three draws against 16 defeats have them toiling down in 14th, without much to look forward to in the closing stages. They enjoy a six-point cushion over Gillingham and the relegation zone and that should be just enough to keep their heads above water. The 11 points difference between themselves and Doncaster in the promotion play-off places should be a big enough gap to ensure they don’t get ideas above their station.
The locals started February with a 2-1 defeat at this venue when hosting Bristol Rovers and followed that with an improved 1-1 at The Valley when up against a decent Charlton side who were fancied to nail down all three points. That point on the road was made all the more impressive as it was achieved with 10 men, Yearwood sent off five minutes after Humphrys gave them a lead. Charlton eventually got back into it through a Reeves equaliser on the hour mark. Another draw is 11/5 (Bet365), the home win yours at 13/5 with the same firm.
Pompey Must Snap Out of It
It looked, for a long time this season, like Portsmouth would continue their rise through the ranks of English football with a League One title win, finishing ahead of another former Premier League side in Sunderland. Both have fallen off the pace of late with Pompey dropping from pole position down to third after picking up just two of the last 15 available. They lost three games in-a-row but were able to steady the ship and draw each of their last two goes. There are just three points between themselves and an improving Barnsley, but they must snap out of this slump before it’s too late.
The Fratton Park side started the month with a 1-1 at home to Doncaster, before being knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of QPR in London, falling to a 2-0 result. Another 1-1 league draw followed next time out, Close netting on 56 minutes before Carey struck for Plymouth Argyle to get them back on level terms. A draw seemed a fair result, but it was Argyle who looked more likely to grab a winner when pushing hard in the final minutes. Portsmouth is rated as 23/20 favourites at Coral, but we’ll have both teams to score in our accumulators at 5/6 – top price with Ladbrokes.
Our Tip: BTTS – 5/6 at Ladbrokes
Fleetwood v Luton
The last of our Feb 16 League One betting tips is for Fleetwood v Luton. Fleetwood goes in search of the hat-trick after grabbing wins in each of their last two. They go into this clash with the league leaders ninth in the table and within touching distance of the top-six. They beat Bradford 1-0 last weekend in a result that was to be expected, Madden scoring inside nine minutes to make the difference. That was their second 1-0 on the bounce, having dished out the same punishment to Charlton the start before. The home win is 5/2 (Unibet).
An Away Day
Luton are out in front of League One and another win here would move them a step closer to what would be a stunning title win. The visitors are on an incredible run and have taken 15 points from their last five games. It’s not worth opposing them when in that shape, so we won’t bother trying. Back Luton for the away day at a handy 11/10 with Coral, one for your accumulators.
Our Tip: Luton to win – 11/10 at Coral
Don’t forget to check out our other top betting tips and best football betting strategies.