Portsmouth v Doncaster
The first of our Feb 2nd League One betting tips is for Portsmouth v Doncaster. League One challengers Portsmouth face their second outing of the week. They know this is a home match they really should be winning if they are serious about going all the way to the title. Pompey are back on the trail of glory and, having gained promotion to League One and settled in the division; they now have itchy feet and are determined to force their way up another rung of the English system, a return to the Championship sending out a real message of intent. They went into the week sitting second, following back-to-back defeats and three losses in their last five. That allowed Luton to pass them and set the pace.
The home side looked to be back on track when dealing out a dramatic 5-2 defeat to Fleetwood away from home in their last game of 2018 before battling to a 2-1 at Fratton Park when lowly AFC Wimbledon came calling. Fans were optimistic for the year ahead; however, they were brought back to earth with a bump when watching on as their side suffered defeat to Blackpool and Oxford United. The locals had more to cheer in the FA Cup when holding on for a 1-1 at home to QPR, forcing the replay in London, but another fixture added to an already hectic schedule won’t do them many favours.
Rovers Pushing for Better
Doncaster Rovers went into the week with a record reading 13-7-8 and the 46 points on the board had them seventh they are just two behind Peterborough United and the promotion play-off places. They too have struggled for consistency of late, however, and claimed just one point from the six available. A defeat to Wycombe Wanderers – beaten by the odd goal in five – was followed by a 2-2 at home to Burton Albion last time. A double from Smith was matched by two from the boot of Brayford that day, including a 90th minute equaliser, and a share of the spoils seemed a fair result.
The visitors booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Oldham Athletic last Saturday in what was an enjoyable FA Cup tie. Whiteman broke the deadlock on 68 minutes, a goal that was cancelled out by Clarke on 84. Whiteman then converted a dramatic 90th minute penalty to win the tie, Clarke shown a straight red card deep into stoppage time as it became obvious his team would be exiting the competition, despite a brave performance. Grant McCann credited his team’s character in fighting all the way to the final whistle.
Stick with the Locals
There’s not an awful lot of difference in the form of both sides involved in this match; with everything to play for in both camps, we’re expecting an entertaining match with plenty of talking points. Portsmouth have a title challenge to work towards and that, along with the benefit of home advantage, should give them the edge and see Pompey nick a much needed three points to relieve a bit of the pressure they have placed on themselves.
Traders agree and Portsmouth have been marked as favourites across the board with Coral offering a market best price of even money, better than the 10/11 you’ll get with most other firms. The same bookie has the draw at 23/10, a Doncaster win written off as a 3/1 poke by Bet365. Our advice is to follow the market and have Portsmouth in your weekend accumulators at evens.
Our Tip: Portsmouth to win – evens at Coral
Sunderland v AFC Wimbledon
The other of our Feb 2nd League One betting tips is Sunderland v AFC Wimbledon. Sunderland sit in the promotion play-off places heading into another busy week of League One football; they have every chance of improving to challenge for automatic promotion courtesy of a top-two finish, or even a title win. The Black Cats seem to have finally found their level and are more than capable of starting the fightback fans hope will lead them all the way back to the top-flight of English football. To have any chance of achieving that, they must find the killer instinct needed to finish teams off, after drawing four of five games.
The locals ended level three times on the bounce with each of those returning a 1-1. That started with a draw away to Charlton in London, before sharing a two-goal finish with Luton at home and Scunthorpe on their travels. That will catch the eye of punters who enjoy following the trends and we expect to see plenty of interest in another 1-1 correct score at 13/2 with Ladbrokes. Maja opened the scoring vs Scunthorpe but that was matched by Hammill in the closing minutes. Sunderland are tipped for the win and backers can help themselves to the 8/13 at Coral, a price that will pull its weight in your weekend accumulators.
Bottom Looking Up
AFC Wimbledon make this trip bottom of League One and are staring relegation dead in the face, knowing time if running out if they are to save their skins in League One. They started the week with stats of six wins and five draws against 18 defeats and that had them eight points off safety, looking in no hurry to pull themselves clear. The Wombles lost 4-1 at home to Barnsley and followed that with a 3-0 when hosting Fleetwood.
They did give their fans something to cheer last weekend when knocking Premier League side West Ham out of the FA Cup, courtesy of a stunning 4-2 result achieved at home. Wagstaff helped himself to a double, goals added to by Appiah and Sibbick. They took a 2-0 lead into the break and were determined enough to see off a late fightback; The Hammers made a game of it thanks to goals from Perez and Anderson. Despite their cup heroics, bookies have an away day at 4/1 with Bet365, the same firm offering a draw at 3/1. Those keen to avoid the match betting can try their luck on both teams to score for an interest at the 3/4 you’ll find with 888Sport.
Our Tip: Sunderland to win – 8/13 at Coral
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