[GETT1NLOTS]

12 May-19:45 Sheff Wed v Brentford 2.10 3.25 3.00
13 May-19:45 Hartlepool v Tranmere 2.25 3.25 2.75

All odds with Bet 365

Place your selections with analysis please.

[crowie]

Not really for solely for these set of fixtures but I have laid Sheff Wed for promotion on Betfair at 3.5.

Top scorer Steven MacLean (19 goals this season), goalie David Lucas and centre half (and captain?) Graeme Lee last played for Wednesday on 12th March in a 3-2 win over Blackpool. The following week rather unluckily all 3 were injured and out for the season.

Wednesday have won 1 game since. A last minute 2-1 win at Hull on the day Hull were celebrating a confirmed promotion to the Championship. This run of 9 games with one win has even seen them draw 0-0 at home with a terrible terrible Stockport side. Now thats poor!

Due to the fact that it was before the transfer deadline Wednesday brought in a goalie (Paul Gallagher, from Norwich, ex Dundee Utd and a couple of Scotland caps). Also Alex Bruce, a centre half from Birmingham and Graham Barrett to replace MacLean up front. Barrett has had 5 starts, 1 sub and got 1 goal so he's no replacement for MacLean.

The other negative for Wednesday is that in the last league game of the season replacement keeper Gallagher got sent off in the 3-2 defeat by Bristol City. I assume he brought down a City player in the box because he was sent off and City scored a penalty all in the 80th minute of the match. Wednesday have mentioned they may appeal but I can't see on what grounds if the ref awarded the penalty. No word of it the appeal will go through though.

Overall none of the 4 sides in the play off have great recent form. However there is no doubt that Wednesday have the worst form of the 4 and have showed nothing of note since the triple injury blow in March. Its no surprise that when they have lost the spine of the side that their form has suffered so.

They face a difficult tie with a Brentford side very strong at home and who are actually getting the odd result away from home now. Wednesday also suffer from the large crowds and expectations/pressure at Hillsborough and their home record is mid table, not ideal for a promotion chasing side.

I actually see them going out to Brentford but overall I am happy to lay a side with such poor form in the league for promotion. I laid at 3.5 earlier this week and I think they are a little higher now but IMO still worth a lay at prices 3.8 and lower.

[moDtheGod]

Wednesday lost there earlier in the season but to be honest, it means little. It's a cup tie after all. As a blades fan, my heart says brentford but I reckon the pigs will edge the tie, drawing away and pinching a close game at home.

[Keith]

Sheff Wed v Brentford

I wrote and lost my analysis of the above much. Here goes with an abbreviated version.

Wed, mediocre form in recent months. Had to cope with injuries to key players and will still have some absent tonight.

Their price reflects the bookmakers usual approach that they are still a "big name" team.

Brentford are overpriced at 3.8 on Betfair. They have already won 2-0 at Hillsborough this season. Small squad, great team spirit and even their reserves beat Hull last week (cost me a small fortune).

Caution- not keen on trying to find the winner of a game when there is still a second leg to come. Small stakes only 3pts (usual scale 1-10)

[Keith]

Just a post script to the Sheffield v Brentford game

I saw something mentioned yesterday but Wednesday report that they have four additional relatively new fitness problems. They are players who have not trained all week. Gamesmanship perhaps, as none of the players have been identified.

What caught my eye was Sturrocks comment to the Sheffield Star that they will still have a good season even if they lose the semi final. He doesn't seem too confident about the outcome. Read it for yourselves at www.sheffieldtoday.net

Anyway, how anyone could lose at home to Bristol City is beyond me. Don't you agree AMP

[crowie]

How anyone can draw 0-0 at home with Stockport and expect to go up is beyond me Was

[Keith]

Originally Posted by crowie

How anyone can draw 0-0 at home with Stockport and expect to go up is beyond me Was

True enough but AMP has a certain affinity with the Robins and he will come back to remind me how they took Everton to penalties in the mickey mouse cup. :pat

[moDtheGod]

I don't think it's that he isn't confident, he's just hedging his bets. As was pointed out earlier in this thread, the piggy following is anxious to get back to the big time and they're fed up with being second to us, despite their frequent "big club" claims. Sturrock realises the size of the task, getting them back to the big time. Had it not been for him, they'd be a shit lower midtable side, I think anyone who isnt biased can see that - this really has been a good year for them and if they don't go up, they'll probably win the league next year. I reckon he secretly fancies his chances and is just prepared the grunter fans for the worst.

[A.M.P]

Yeah yeah yeah WAS. What was the Arsenal score again??!!

I had a look at the playoffs at apart from a slight fancy for Lincoln in Division 2 all the ties seem very tight.

I've been following Brentfords results this season as I've had them down in a E/W handicap which returned a couple of points, due to Luton being a bit of a surprise package.

I like Martin Allen and the teamwork he has installed in them. I believe they are capable of nicking it (if Wednesday do have Maclean and a the others reported out) at Hillsboro but would have prefered to see the price nearer the 3.5 mark.

AMP

[crowie]

Originally Posted by A.M.P

I believe they are capable of nicking it (if Wednesday do have Maclean and a the others reported out) at Hillsboro but would have prefered to see the price nearer the 3.5 mark.AMP

AMP, the players I mentioned (MacLean, Lucas, Lee) haven't played a game between them since 12th March game v Blackpool. They were all declared out for the season in mid March. However Lucas is back in goal tonight, no idea of his fitness but they needed to do something once Gallagher picked up his suspension at the weekend.

[crowie]

Wednesday at 3.45 back and 3.80 lay to get promoted after tonights 1-0 win.