English CC League Midweek

[kompressaur]

Coca-Cola League Championship
06 Mar 19:45 Hull v Ipswich 6/5 11/5 2/1
06 Mar 19:45 Norwich v Derby 9/5 9/4 5/4
06 Mar 19:45 Sheff Wed v Plymouth 11/10 11/5 11/5

Coca-Cola League One
06 Mar 19:45 Blackpool v Bournemouth 8/11 12/5 10/3
06 Mar 19:45 Nottm Forest v Doncaster 8/11 12/5 10/3
06 Mar 19:45 Port Vale v Cheltenham 4/5 9/4 16/5
07 Mar 19:30 Chesterfield v Bristol City 7/4 11/5 13/10

Coca-Cola League Two
06 Mar 19:45 Accrington Stanley v Bristol Rovers 11/8 11/5 17/10
06 Mar 19:45 Mansfield v Chester 11/10 11/5 11/5
06 Mar 19:45 Shrewsbury v Wrexham 8/11 12/5 10/3

odds from bet365

[thehandicapman]

Quite fancied City's chances at Chesterfield. After the disappointment of the defeat to Rovers, City got back on track on Saturday and the victory against a Northampton team with only 4 defeats away all season was a good team performance, Brian 'Smile' Wilson scored a 2nd goal just after the break that was wrongly given offside - so the margin could have been bigger.

City are in a rich vein of form away from home at present, with victories over Brighton, Blackpool and Oldham in the last 4 aways. A defeat away at Scunny was the 4th.

Chesterfield meanwhile are in a bit of trouble at the moment and have lost 3 of their last 4 homes, including a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth who had only won 1 away all season prior to that.

Roy McFarland after the defeat to Tranmere on Tuesday:

Were you disappointed with what was not happening up front?

We were quite ineffective, to be fair. Our firepower is struggling at the moment. The longer we keep playing like this, the more problems we think we're going to have, and that's what happened as the game went on.

At times tonight our football wasn't as good as it could be, and we let ourselves down, but the major thing is there wasn't much going on up front, in terms of creativity. We missed Derek; he gets criticised, but his energy and pressure would have helped us tonight.

Striker Jamie Ward who has scored 9 goals in 21 games fro Chesterfield this season picked up a hamstring injury a couple of weeks ago and could be out for 6 weeks.

The fans don't seem happy at all with what is going on, here are a collection of message titles from their forum:

Wonder what Roy's excuse is this week?
Go and Go Now
what can we do to get rid of mac?

So all primed for a nice away win - until you look at our previous record up there which is dire.

City have played Chesterfield in 9 of the last 10 seasons and have only won one of the 9 games away - back in 99-00.

Now its obviously a good time to play Chesterfield at home and City's away form is good but should i let this away voodoo put me off?

The other bet that looks pretty nailed on is the unders. City are looking very tight at the back with only 2 goals conceded in the last 6 games and 4 of those games were 1-0's.

The price is edging up but still a bit too tight at the current 1.68 on betfair.

Just been on betfair now and had a little nibble on City to win 2-0 - IMO the price of 12-1 was generous for that scoreline.

Interesting games elsewhere too.

Blackpool look pretty generously priced, and I've got a feeling Donny might just get something at Forest.

could be tempted to lay Accrington Stanley too.

THM

[kompressaur]

Cheers THM. I'll be interested in seeing what jbg thinks about that one too.

Are Ipswich on theyre way back into form? Derby at Norwich looks a great game and an over 2.5 candidate for me. Havent Derby got some freakish resord of winning most of their games by just one goal? I can see Norwich and Huckerby scoring so the 2-1 might just do me.

Is Sheff Wed home form pretty poor? A few interesting games in cc 1 and 2 too. I would need to see the best prices before looking at them. what you all considering this midweek?

[jbgb007uk]

Put your money on Bristol City, I know I have. I think we are coming up against one of the better teams in the league, who will cause us plenty of troubles. I cannot see us keeping them out for 90 minutes. Therefore we would need to score to get anything from the game, and this is our major problem we do not have any good strikers. We will probably go with Wayne 'the Chief' Allison (40 years old or so) and Colin 'cannot hit a barn door with a banjo' Larkin. Our midfield lacks creativity and our defence struggles to defend.

Anybody got relegation odds for the league as well? Above evens for us would be a really good bet in my opinion.

[keemanan]

I would fancy goals at Norwich too komp , Norwich certainly cant defend but had a crackin win at the weekend.
I fancy Wednesday but not too much , this is 1 win in 6 at home versus 1 win in 10 away!
Plymouth have the cup this weekend and I'm gonna bet on the home team at over evens I rekon

[thehandicapman]

you sound like you are hurting jbg.

2.22 on betfair.

THM

[Winrew]

Rotherham 1/66
Brentford 1/4
Cheltenham 8/11
Bradford 10/11
Chesterfield 5/4
Bournemouth 6/4
Leyton Orient 5/2
Northampton 10/3
Gillingham 9/2
Huddersfield 8
Brighton 12
BET365

Some relegation prices jbgb007uk.

[bosman]

Fancy Forest today against Doncaster. They are great at home, unbeaten in last 7. Doncaster without a win in last 4 away, with some squad problems.

From Soccer 365

Sammy Clingan is out of Nottingham Forest's squad for Tuesday night's clash with Doncaster after breaking his ankle against Huddersfield.

Clingan suffered the injury during the early stages of Saturday's 5-1 rout at the City Ground and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

Youngster Lewis McGugan made a impressive substitute appearance in the win and looks set to act as Clingan's replacement as Forest look to notch a third successive league win.

Calderwood will hope that David Prutton will recover from a thigh injury in time to play some part and Nathan Tyson will return to the squad after completing his three-match ban.

Jack Lester remains out as he serves the second game of his two-match ban.

Doncaster's injury troubles show no sign of easing with James Coppinger and Adam Lockwood both doubtful.

Midfielder Coppinger is nursing a knock and defender Lockwood is struggling with a back problem as both face late tests.

Winger Jonathan Forte is also doubtful due to an ankle injury, but midfielder Jason Price returns from a one-match suspension.

Striker Paul Heffernan is out long term with ankle ligament damage, while Mark McCammon (back), goalkeeper Ben Smith (knee) and defenders Steve Roberts (ankle) and Gareth Roberts (hamstring) all remain sidelined.

[rcgills]

Derby short of recognised centre backs, with Michael Johnson ruled out for up to 6 weeks. This from Soccernet:

Norwich manager Peter Grant will hand a late fitness test to teenage striker Chris Martin ahead of the home clash with Championship high-flyers Derby.

Martin, 18, scored his third goal in his last three games in the vital 3-1 win at Barnsley on Saturday but picked up an ankle knock and his fitness will be monitored before the County clash.

Veteran Dion Dublin remains sidelined with a calf injury and striker Chris Brown is still three weeks away from a return after pulling his hamstring in the recent 1-1 draw with Coventry.

Defender Jason Shackell suffered from dizziness in the second half at Oakwell but should be fit to continue alongside Gary Doherty while captain Adam Drury came through the full 90 minutes unscathed after injuring his back against Luton last Tuesday.

Tony Warner will continue in goal after signing on loan from Fulham until the end of the season with Paul Gallacher omitted from the 16 entirely at Barnsley after he made a mistake in the 3-2 win at Luton.

Luke Chadwick will again be on the bench as he looks for his first appearance since November but top scorer Robert Earnshaw is out for at least another month with a groin injury.

Derby will attempt to reclaim the Coca-Cola Championship top spot at Norwich without the services of experienced defender Michael Johnson.

Johnson has been told he could face up to six weeks on the sidelines after being forced off the field during Friday's 5-1 win over Colchester just moments before the interval with a hamstring injury.

The loss of the 31-year-old Jamaican international leaves the Rams short of recognised centre backs, and may force boss Billy Davies into recalling the recovering Dean Leacock, who is still thought to be lacking full match fitness.

Should Leacock fail to make the Carrow Road trip, Davies is expected to call upon makeshift centre-backs Marc Edworthy or Tyrone Mears to fill the void, as Richard Jackson and Paul Boertien remain sidelined by respective knee and calf problems.

Midfielder Stephen Pearson is hoping to push his way back into contention after sitting out of the Colchester victory with severe bruising on his foot

Norwich on the back of 2 wins, both away from home, admittedly against strugglers, but will have boosted morale. Derby got back to winning ways with a 5-1 thrashing of Colchester, but lost their last 2 prior to that.

Could yet be tempted by Norwich in this one.

[rcgills]

Only bet I'm considering in League One is Bournemouth to maybe get something from Blackpool. Blackpool weren't all that impressive against Gillingham at the weekend, and only got a point due to the Gills missing a penalty. They're also on a poor run at home, with 3 straight defeats at Bloomfield Road, to Brentford, Bristol City and Millwall. Bournemouth have won 2 of their last 3 aways, including a 2-1 at Oldham in their last away game. Team news from Soccernet:

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson will hand a late fitness test to Keith Southern ahead of the visit of struggling Bournemouth.

Southern was withdrawn after 71 minutes of the 2-2 draw at Gillingham on Saturday after taking a knock and Grayson is hopeful the influential midfielder will be fit to face the Cherries.

Claus Bech Jorgensen and Marcus Bean are on standby to replace Southern while left-back Paul Tierney is definitely out with an ankle injury.

Ben Burgess is likely to keep his place up front alongside Andy Morrell after he scored his first league goal for the club at Priestfield while on-loan Huddersfield goalkeeper Paul Rachubka will again start ahead of Rhys Evans after his superb penalty save denied the Gills all three points.

Bournemouth welcome experienced defender Neil Young back into their squad after he was ruled out of Saturday's win over Doncaster with a one-match ban and he could come straight back into the side.

Striker James Hayter is expected to travel after recovering from the hamstring strain which has sidelined him lately, but midfielder Darren Anderton remains a doubt with a groin injury.

Bjarni Vidarsson and Marc Wilson played against Doncaster despite being struck down with flu earlier in the week and should be available once again as the Cherries go in search of a third straight win.

But Sam Vokes (back), Shaun Maher (foot) and Steven Foley (back) all remain on the injury list

Going by the commentary from Saturday's game, I'd take Rachubka playing as a positive for Bournemouth - he might have saved a penalty, but it was at a decent height for him, and throughout the game, he seemed to have real trouble dealing with crosses. Our 2nd goal was a header from about 4 yards out, which the keeper decided not to come for.

Very tempted by the 4.5 on Bournemouth with Betfair.

[rcgills]

Pitch inspection at Shrewsbury at 10:30 am, apparently.

[k33nan]

i personally fancy the other team from that neck of the woods, ipswich at 2/1 to beat a rather poor hull side. Quite a few injuries at hull and suspension to michael bridges, however if f,jeffers gets his first start i fancy him to score first and an ipswich win 7/1 and 2/1 respectively.

[keemanan]

Brave man to be on Norwich there Rc , they could outscore Derby of course but I rekon komps overs is the best bet in that one.

Plymouth have eye's only for the cup it seems . This from their local press:

Manager Ian Holloway's team selection on Saturday showed what Argyle's top priority is for the rest of the season.It is not the Championship. It is the FA Cup quarter-final against Watford at Home Park this Sunday - and understandably so.


Midfield dynamo David Norris was not picked by Holloway for the clash with play-off chasing Stoke City.

That was not due to injury or loss of form. It was because had the 26-year-old been booked against the Potters he would have been suspended for the FA Cup quarter-final.

The Owls are gonna be without Tudguy which is a major out for them:

The Owls, meanwhile, are looking to record a third consecutive win against Argyle.

Buoyed by back-to-back wins over Southend and Leeds United, Laws feels the Owls now need only two more wins to guarantee Championship survival.

Defender Richard Wood has been praised by Laws after ending his 13-month injury nightmare with an impressive display against Leeds at the weekend.

With Graham Coughlan on compassionate leave after the death of his teenage brother, Wood, who has been plagued by groin problems, is likely to start his second game in four days.

"Everyone told me what a good player Richard was but I hadn't seen him play," said Laws. "I finally saw 45 minutes in the reserves last week and that was enough to know I could throw him in at the deep end against Leeds.

"I could have changed it round and put Steve Watson there but I needed him in midfield for his organisation and discipline. We had to throw him in at the deep end and he was excellent."

Team news: Striker Steve MacLean is set to replace Marcus Tudgay who serves a one-game ban after being sent off against Leeds. Defender Richard Wood keeps his place in the absence of Graham Coughlan. John Hills (calf) remains sidelined.

Yeah , I'm still sweet on Sheff wed

[Betfly]

fRom Rp Tips for CC

Mansfield v Chester - Mansfield, 3pts 6-5
CHESTER have struggled badly in recent weeks and it is difficult to see them getting anything from this evening’s tricky League Two match at Field Mill.

At the turn of the year, City boss Mark Wright was hoping to push for a play-off place, but his hopes were dashed when the board accepted offers for the clubs top scorers, Jonathan Walters and Greg Blundell, towards the end of the transfer window.

Walters and Blundell netted 15 goals between them and their departures, to Darlington and Ipswich respectively, have left Wright short of firepower.

Chester have played six games since the start of February and they have notched just four goals during that period.

Wright was able to get Simon Yeo on loan from Peterborough and he has looked the closest thing to a replacement for the departed strikers.

He netted twice in his first six Chester appearances but he is out of tonight’s clash after sustaining an ankle injury in last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Torquay.

Yeo went off during thefirst half of a clash which featured a host of wasted chances for City.

Chester paid the price when a late Lee Thorpe penalty earned Torquay their first away point since December.

City’s shot-shy attack cannot expect as many chances tonight againsta Mansfield team which is full of confidence.

The Stags have picked up six points from clashes against promotion-chasing duo Wycombe (3-2) and Lincoln (2-1) in their last two outings.

And Mansfield manager Billy Dearden is boosted by the availability of on-loan Lincoln striker Martin Gritton, who was ineligible for last Saturday’s trip to Sincil Bank.

Sheff Wed v Plymouth - Sheffield Wednesday, 2pts 5-4
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY hammered another nail into Leeds’s coffin with a 3-2 win at Elland Road on Saturday and they should be backed to follow up against Plymouth.

Both of these teams seem to be heading for mid-table obscurity and there is a strong chance that Plymouth, who have Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final with Watford to think about, will not be 100 per cent focused on the job in hand.

Argyle are 14 points outside the play-off positions and while their manager Ian Holloway will demand a professional approach from his players, it is difficult to see them exhibiting the desire which normally accompanies a Plymouth performance.

Any sign of weakness could be seized upon by an Owls side who have been scoring goals for fun – they have notched eight in their last three fixtures.

Wednesday forward Marcus Tudgay misses tonight’s game through suspension but his likely replacement, injury-hit striker Steven Maclean, is the best finisher at the club.

Shrewsbury v Wrexham - Wrexham, 1pt 15-4
WREXHAM boosted their survival hopes with a precious 2-1 victory at Barnet on Saturday and the Red Dragons should be backed to build on that success with a win at Gay Meadow.

The Shrews are still hunting a play-off place but this is the wrong time to be playing their local rivals.

Wrexham’s injury problems have eased in recent weeks but they have still been suffering from a crisis of confidence.

Coming from behind to win at Underhill should have restored their belief and that makes them dangerous opponents.

[rcgills]

Haven't actually taken Norwich yet, Keem, just considering it.

See where you're coming from on the overs, but there's a few things put me off. Firstly, looking at Norwich's home record against top 10 teams - they've only played 5 of those 10 - Wolves, Sunderland, Colchester, Preston and Cardiff - but all 5 have finished unders. Also, 6 of Derby's last 8 aways have been unders. Don't think I can really be tempted on that one, don't see it as being particularly clear cut.

Only bet I have taken so far is a lay of Blackpool @ 1.96