Bristol Rovers v Luton
The first of our March 30 League One betting tips is for Bristol Rovers v Luton. Bristol Rovers go into game 39 of their League One campaign with a record showing 11 wins, 12 draws and 15 defeats. That looks like the form of a side destined to finish in mid-table and that’s exactly where you’ll find the locals at this stage, positioned 15th.
They are only three points better than Walsall and the relegation zone, meaning there’s real pressure on the hosts to pick up the points needed to safeguard their position in the third-tier of English football for another season. The club lines-up on the back of three wins and two draws in their last five and you can back another share of the spoils at 5/2 with Unibet. The same firm has the home win top price at 3/1.
Looking to Step Up
Luton starts as league leaders and is edging towards promotion to the Championship as League One champions. They have won 24 and drawn 11 of their 39 games so far and that has them five better than nearest rivals Barnsley who are waiting in the wings in second, looking to punish any slips between now and the flag.
The Hatters won last weekend, dealing out a 4-0 beating to Doncaster Rovers in what was a real show of strength by the pace-setters. Luton is favourites with all major bookmakers to win this match, as you would expect, with Bet365 shaping as the most generous firm when offering a top price of 19/20.
Our Tip: Luton to win – 19/20 at Bet365
Barnsley v Coventry
Game of the day from the division as second-placed Barnsley welcome Coventry in ninth. The hosts know time is against them if they are to topple Luton and win the league, but nothing can be taken for granted at this level and no one connected to the home side will throw in the towel until it’s mathematically impossible. Barnsley have Portsmouth in third snapping away at their heels and that will keep them focussed between now and the flag.
Holding onto second and the automatic promotion place is probably more valuable than risking a push for the crown. The Tykes are on an unbeaten run of three wins and two draws and won last time out. Another maximum is expected by bookies who offer 3/4 (Coral).
Missed Opportunities
Coventry had one more chance to catapult themselves back into the promotion playoff picture, but they missed the opportunity when losing last weekend against Oxford at the Ricoh Arena. That was their second defeat in four and rated as a real upset as the victors started with poor form on the road. Curtis Nelson scored the only goal of the game on 57 minutes and that wrecked lower league accumulators across the board.
The Sky Blues had more of the ball but failed to make it count, ending with just four shots on target. A disappointing day all round. The away win is 19/5, market best at Unibet, but that isn’t enough to win us over, having had our fingers burnt last weekend. We’ll back Barnsley to boost their tally by three points.
Our Tip: Barnsley to win – 3/4 at Coral
Charlton v Bradford
The London side is pushing hard for a play-off finish this season and can make ground on a couple of teams above them in the list by doing what’s expected of them against lowly Bradford. The locals start fifth in the division and have done more than enough to secure an extended season with Doncaster in seventh 10 points behind at this stage.
The higher they finish the better the chance they will have of going to the Championship. The Addicks are on an unbeaten run and have won three and drawn two of their last five. They should have no trouble beating Bradford if their mind is on the job and a home win is a must-have in your lower league accas at 4/6 (Unibet).
Bottom of the League
Bradford is one of the easiest sides in English football to oppose and they are on a horrible run of form that has sucked them down to the bottom of the league. They were challenging for promotion to the Championship last season but will end this one as a team destined for League Two and that threatens their very future in the game.
The club is riddled with problems from boardroom level right down to the players and there have been no signs that things are about to change anytime soon. The away win has been chalked up at 9/2 by Bet365 but they could double that quote and we wouldn’t be interested. Bradford has lost their last three, meaning the draw won’t see too much attention either at 11/4 (Bet365).
Our Tip: Charlton to win – 4/6 at Unibet
Doncaster v Walsall
The last of our March 30 League One betting tips is for Doncaster v Walsall. Things are getting interesting for Doncaster fans as we speed towards the end of the season and Saturday’s match will be their second outing of the week following Tuesday’s home tie with Bristol Rovers. They started the week placed seventh in the league but are asking all the right questions of the promotion play-off places and are applying pressure to teams directly above.
The home side had just a point to find on Monday, but their recent form was poor, taking three points from the last 15 on the table. That didn’t do their chances of going up any good, but they remain competitive and know it’s what they do between now and the flag that matters as Peterborough are sure to drop points, having lost three games on the bounce. The home win looks worth a chance at Coral’s 4/7 and that’s another for your weekend multiples.
Stuck in Relegation
Walsall has its own need for the points and started the week stuck down in the relegation zone with 42 points on the board. They have everything to play for as goal difference stands between themselves and Southend in safety.
Walsall has stumbled to three defeats on the trot in their last treble and that has fans worried for the future. They must snap that losing streak before it gets any worse but we’re not holding out much hope for the away win. Walsall is 9/2 at Bet365.