English League Two Betting: 6th Aug 2011

[MickeyPaul]

Drum roll.... it's English League Two betting time again. Probably my 8th or 9th favourite league. Odds from 888Sport

Sat, Aug 6th, 2011
15:00 AFC Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers 2.50 3.25 2.50
15:00 Bradford City v Aldershot Town 2.10 3.20 3.10
15:00 Gillingham v Cheltenham Town 1.67 3.40 4.50
15:00 Macclesfield Town v Dagenham & Redbridge 2.37 3.25 2.60
15:00 Morecambe v Barnet 2.10 3.30 3.00
15:00 Northampton Town v Accrington Stanley 1.91 3.30 3.50
15:00 Port Vale v Crawley Town 2.60 3.25 2.37
15:00 Rotherham United v Oxford United 2.20 3.30 2.80
15:00 Shrewsbury Town v Plymouth Argyle 2.00 3.25 3.25
15:00 Southend United v Hereford United 1.83 3.30 3.75
15:00 Swindon Town v Crewe Alexandra 1.80 3.40 3.75
15:00 Torquay United v Burton Albion 1.91 3.30 3.50

[Punter]

Only your 8th or 9th fav' Mickey? It was the place to be a couple of seasons back

Without committing to anything just yet Swindon might end up on my coupon, i think they are in for a good season where as i think the opposite of their opponents Crewe.

Edit: They are on my coupon, just found Even money about them at Hills, the only bookie offering this price at present, the rest are going anything from 1.73 - 1.91.

[MickeyPaul]

What about Shrewsbury (11/10 @ paddy power ).? I'm quite out of touch with this league (I did love it once, Punter). I'm sure I've read a lot recently about Plymouth being in financial bother? Seemed to be a lot of doom and gloom about the place anyway.

[ThunderCelt]

Well, I reckon this is God's Own League. I fear the Shots getting promoted 'cos I'd have to work with League One.

I've got some on my shortlist; Gillingham and Northampton, and I like the look of Shrewsbury and Swindon as well as Micky Paul and Punter. I can see good reason to avoid them as well as to take them and there's some longer shots as well, but nothing concrete at this stage.

I put six units on Northampton +0.25 at 11/40 (Bet365) in a fit of enthusiasm when the prices first came out, which probably wasn't sensible.

[Punter]

After you mentioning the Accy' players that had left in the Ante post thread i was tempted to take Northampton outright. I think Stanley have been weakened considerably there and Northampton could be anything this season, i think they will be better than they were last season anyway.

[ThunderCelt]

I'm happy that I took Northampton, and Accy were last year's away draw specialists even before they had their good run and I guess they'll play a similar style this year so I wanted to cover that. I'm annoyed that I didn't use early season discipline (six points on the first weekend ) and I'm sure I could have got better than 11/40 for it.

[HastGill1]

Originally Posted by ThunderCelt

Well, I reckon this is God's Own League. I fear the Shots getting promoted 'cos I'd have to work with League One.

I've got some on my shortlist; Gillingham and Northampton, and I like the look of Shrewsbury and Swindon as well as Micky Paul and Punter. I can see good reason to avoid them as well as to take them and there's some longer shots as well, but nothing concrete at this stage.

I put six units on Northampton +0.25 at 11/40 (Bet365) in a fit of enthusiasm when the prices first came out, which probably wasn't sensible.

I would avoid us like the plague! 1.67!? Having a bloody laugh aren't they? Got a new goalkeeper, 2 new defenders, at least 3 new midfielders and a new striker all lining up for the first game! Could all go horribly wrong..no-one in this league should be that price on the opening day as most of the teams are crap and anyone can beat anyone..

[ThunderCelt]

Gillingham v Cheltenham
Gillingham (0), 9/20, 3 units, Bet 365

I know HastGill1 has warned off against backing Gillingham, but this is as much a bet against the visitors, but with a cautious bet and smallish stakes as it's the first week and anything can happen. I have Cheltenham for relegation, so probably need to put my money where my mouth is!

Gillingham have Birchill out and no obvious proven goalscorer up front, but the Gills' message board seems to think that this will be countered by playing one up front and relying on goalscoring midfielders. There is also a belief that the side should probably reach the play offs.

The local news (BBC Points West) ran a feature on Cheltenham tonight, which seemed to sum up my assumption that the visitors will struggle on Saturday. The fans interviewed would appear just to be happy to be in the League next year, and the reporter pointed out that up front finances have forced Cheltenham to take risks on strikers who have no track record at this level. Cheltenham have also had a pretty dismal pre-season - although I know that doesn't count for much. I've kept less of an eye on Gillingham's form.

Both teams have done a lot of rebuilding during the summer, so I'd not expect either team to be disadgantaged in this aspect.


I'm having real trouble finding any sort of value in L2 this weekend. Last season the bookies made a couple of blunders on the opening day, but they don't seem to have this time. Unless I'm making the same blunders, of course...

[HastGill1]

Originally Posted by ThunderCelt

Gillingham v Cheltenham
Gillingham (0), 9/20, 3 units, Bet 365

I know HastGill1 has warned off against backing Gillingham, but this is as much a bet against the visitors, but with a cautious bet and smallish stakes as it's the first week and anything can happen. I have Cheltenham for relegation, so probably need to put my money where my mouth is!

Gillingham have Birchill out and no obvious proven goalscorer up front, but the Gills' message board seems to think that this will be countered by playing one up front and relying on goalscoring midfielders. There is also a belief that the side should probably reach the play offs.

The local news (BBC Points West) ran a feature on Cheltenham tonight, which seemed to sum up my assumption that the visitors will struggle on Saturday. The fans interviewed would appear just to be happy to be in the League next year, and the reporter pointed out that up front finances have forced Cheltenham to take risks on strikers who have no track record at this level. Cheltenham have also had a pretty dismal pre-season - although I know that doesn't count for much. I've kept less of an eye on Gillingham's form.

Both teams have done a lot of rebuilding during the summer, so I'd not expect either team to be disadgantaged in this aspect.


I'm having real trouble finding any sort of value in L2 this weekend. Last season the bookies made a couple of blunders on the opening day, but they don't seem to have this time. Unless I'm making the same blunders, of course...

Think you're playing the bet the right way, caution has to be the call of the day, it's opening day and as we both know anything can happen in this league.

We've got Kedwell up front who has looked decent pre season by all accounts, but needs someone to play off him as he isn't going to be the quickest..we do have two of the best midfielders in the league though in Whelpdale and Lee who are better than this level and might well only be with us for a year unless we go up. 4-5-1 will be the call of the day and we should be very solid, Frampton who we signed from Millwall has been made captain and should excell at this level at CB, Cheltenham seem to be poorly thought of by almost everyone so at worst I think you will get your stake back. Our pre season has been up and down but I'm not concerned, we might sign another striker by Saturday so might play two up top. Be good support for the boys on Sat..

I'm in Spain so won't be able to go unfortunately, last time I let my girlfriend book holidays ..

[ThunderCelt]

Shrewsbury v Plymouth
Shrewsbury, 19/20, 3 units, William Hill

I'd been hoping to hold off for a bit longer to see who (if anyone) Plymouth bring in, but the price is falling so my hand has been forced. Plymouth's struggles are well known, and it appears their only recognised striker (Hitchcock, on loan from Blackburn) has never played a senior match. A couple of other strikers are currently in talks, but even if they join there will be question marks about their fitness and fitting into team style.

Plymouth are in a bit of a mess, and while they've got some competent players for this level (Simon Walton, Robbie Williams etc) there are big question marks over team - let alone squad - depth. Unless someone comes in, they will have to play one teenager (only ten 20+s on the books) and according to their message board the squad has an average age of just over 22.

I reckon Shrewsbury should be good for the play-offs. Up front it's difficult to see a makeshift deefence coping with (I assume) Marvin Morgan (who I hold in high regard as a player from his Aldershot days) and Terry Gornell (one in every three for Accrington last year) as Shrews' first choice strike force. In fact, it's hard to see Shrewsbury being outclassed anywhere on the pitch and I reckon later in the season we'd see this a lot shorter than best priced William Hill - the 5/6 some bookies offer is nearer the price I make this.

Only small stakes as it's the season's opener.

[hotspur]

congrats!!that comment can be applied to every single antepost bet ever...apart from rank outsiders!