English Leagues 1 & 2: 10th Jan

[MickeyPaul]

League One
10 Jan-19:45 Barnsley v Gillingham 1.72 3.40 4.33
10 Jan-19:45 Blackpool v Oldham 2.50 3.25 2.50
10 Jan-19:45 Rotherham v Port Vale 2.10 3.30 3.10
10 Jan-19:45 Scunthorpe v Huddersfield 2.60 3.30 2.37
10 Jan-19:45 Swansea v Milton Keynes Dons 1.40 4.00 7.00


League Two
10 Jan-19:45 Barnet v Cheltenham 2.50 3.25 2.50
10 Jan-19:45 Peterborough v Oxford Utd 1.90 3.40 3.50

Odds from Bet365

[MickeyPaul]

Oxford in stinking form and on the back of a 0-3 home defeat to Shrewsbury - I reckon I'll be giving Peterborough a good look.

I'd say the Barnsley match has a dodgy look about it and Swansea too - they haven't won in 5 now I think. Hard to see MK Dons winning but 8.25 @ betandwin shouldn't be ruled out just yet.

Hmmm, Blackpool bottom of the home table face an Oldham side in decent form. Interested to read how Oldham played in their 0-0 with Southend yesterday as Southend just won 1-2 at Blackpool recently. I could fancy the away. Hard one though.

[GETT1NLOTS]

Barnsley Vs Gillingham

Gillingham stink away from home having not picked up a win in 11 league outings this season. They have picked up 5 draws which is slightly off putting if you're considering backing the win on Barnsley at 1.72. That said Gillingham picked up those draws earlier in the season (except for a 0-0 away to Huddersfield last time out). If you discount that effort they are getting worse away from home not better and this is encouraging to home backers.

I think I'll be having a bet on the home victory here.

[GETT1NLOTS]

Swansea Vs MK Dons

After a decent showing by MK Dons away to Southampton in the FA Cup (only losing 4-3) I think the price on Swansea at 1.40 is laughably short. No bet for me.

[GETT1NLOTS]

Peterborough Vs Oxford

You might be correct to back the home win here Mickey. Barry Fry put his whole squad on the transfer list about two weeks ago after a really disappointing performance. He also did it in order to give the Manager some transfer funds to play with in order to wheel and deal.

Since then Peterborough have won their last 3 games.

Oxford have a decent away record though having only lost 5 games all season on their travels? It might be a safer bet to lay Oxford as opposed to backing Peterborough?

[GETT1NLOTS]

As we speak Barnsley are 1.91 on Betfair. I'm definately taking some of that.

[rcgills]

Not sure what to expect for the Gills tomorrow. We're in pretty decent form of late (3-2-1 for our last 6 games), but so are Barnsley (only 1 defeat in their last 14). Our away form has been terrible all season, we've still not won away yet, but there have been signs of improvement in our last two away games, a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth (but only due to a 90th minute winner), and a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield. Barnsley have got a very decent home record, 7-5-1 for the season. Should really all point to a home win, but our recent revival is just putting a nagging doubt in my mind.

Also signs that Ronnie Jepson is starting to shape the squad that he wants - of Neale Cooper's 6 signings he made in the few months he managed us, Tom Williams has gone to Swansea, Tony Bullock has gone to St Mirren, and apparently Steve Hislop today had a medical with Livingston. Only leaves Jackman, Sancho and Shields of Cooper's signings, but I'd expect they'll be staying put. No team news as yet on the Gills website, so in the mean time, this is from the BBC.

"Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie could hand a first start to midfielder Richard Kell, after his recovery from the second leg break of his career at Oakwell.


Ritchie has allowed reserve goalkeeper David Scarsella to go out on loan to south London side Tooting and Mitcham.

Gillingham will once again be without winger Matt Jarvis, who is sidelined by an ankle injury. Fellow forward Darren Byfield (knee) is struggling, while Ian Cox, Chris Hope and Andy Hessenthaler are all doubts"

Jarvis out is quite a blow for us, as he'd been in good form, but having said that he was out for the Huddersfield game (as indeed were all of those players actually), and we still got a draw there. Hessenthaler incidentally may well be moving on sooner rather than later. He was due to have a testimonial at the end of the season, but the club has now announced it will be in the next couple of weeks, which may mean he's on his way out. Apparently he's looking at ways back into management (he was our player-manager for about 4 years, before reverting back to being just a player last season).

I wouldn't try to put anyone off really if they were thinking of backing Barnsley, I don't think.

[GETT1NLOTS]

RC, I'm worried about the draw and nearly layed Gillingham as opposed to backing Barnsley for the straight win. Out of 13 home games only just over half have ended in a victory for Barnsley so I concede that the Gills may get a point. That said 1.91 on Betfair last night was just too good to refuse so I have plumped for the home win after all.Showing at 1.92 on Betfair now in fact.

[MickeyPaul]

BBC:

Blackpool v Oldham
Blackpool could hand veteran defender Dean Gordon his debut after the former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace man joined on a month-to-month deal.

Defender Rob Edwards is struggling with a calf strain and faces a fitness test prior to the Latics' visit.

Paul Edwards is Oldham's major doubt with a hip injury sustained in Saturday's game with Southend.

If Edwards fails to recover, the Latics are likely to start with the side that finished against the Shrimpers.

Swansea v MK Dons
Leon Knight is in line to make his debut for Swansea after signing from Brighton, as Lee Trundle is still sidelined with an ankle injury.

Defender Izzy Iriekpen (ankle), and midfielders Owain Tudur Jones and Kris O'Leary (knee) are sidelined.

MK Dons defender Trent McLenahan serves a one-match ban and Gary Smith is recovering from a knee injury.

David Martin is set to complete a move to Liverpool so academy keeper Robert Webb will be back-up to Matt Baker.

Scunthorpe v Huddersfield
Scunthorpe are likely to name the same side that briefly took the lead against Manchester City in the FA Cup third round before falling to a 3-1 defeat.

Veteran winger Peter Beagrie should continue after impressing on Saturday and Andy Keogh and Billy Sharp are likely to continue up front.

Huddersfield's Andy Booth is likely to miss out with the groin injury that kept him out against Chelsea.

Skipper Jon Worthington is also missing as he completes a two-match ban.

Rotherham v Port Vale
Rotherham will be without four players through suspension, including striker Martin Butler, who sits it out after picking up five bookings.

He will be replaced by 19-year-old Jonathan Forte, while Paul McLaren, Lee Williamson and Shaun Barker are the other banned Rotherham players.

Port Vale boss Martin Foyle could name an unchanged side for the trip.

Striker Nathan Lowndes is available again after suspension but may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Now that is bloody interesting regarding Rotherham in what was looking to me to be a tight game. Both teams in terrible form, Rotherham 2nd bottom of the home table, Port Vale 12th in the away - I think there could be a case for the X2 here. Need to look deeper.

Hang on - the form aint as bad as the table suggests. Brb.....

[MickeyPaul]

Port Vale have just drawn 0-0 at high flying Swansea and before that they won 0-3 at Huddersfield who are one of the league's top home sides. Now I'm very interested. Their away from has been not bad at all over the last few weeks - there's a 1-2 win at Bournemouth, a 1-2 win at Swindon and a 1-2 win at top of the table Southend at the start of the season. Right - need to get into some reports. I reckon I could be chancing the away win.

[MickeyPaul]

Sorry, League two news:

Peterborough v Oxford Utd
Peterborough striker Danny Crow remains an injury doubt following a knee injury and is likely to wait until Saturday's trip to Darlington to return.

Ryan Semple (concussion) and Jamie Day (dead leg) were forced off against Rushden at the weekend and are also doubtful for Posh.

Oxford midfielder Lee Mansell is back after suspension and skipper Chris Hargreaves could return after injury.

However, Chris Willmott and Stuart Gray are not expected to be fit.

Well, that's put me off the home a bit. I'll probably give it a miss.

Barnet v Cheltenham
Barnet defender Ian Hendon is unlikely to feature after being sent for blood tests to find the cause of his recent back trouble.

Striker Giuliano Grazioli and defenders Simon King and Adam Gross could all return, but midfielder Dwane Lee is doubtful with a dead leg.

Cheltenham will be without leading scorer Kayode Odejayi, who is banned.

Keeper Shane Higgs faces a late fitness test, defender Shane Duff (ankle) is doubtful and Grant McCann is out.

Very, very tight looking match. I may have chanced Cheltenham due to their superior form but Odejayi out has me thinking 'draw'.

[MickeyPaul]

Back to Port Vale - very impressive performance at Huddersfield in that 0-3 win by the sounds of it. I think Huddersfield were looking to go top of the table that day too. Rotherham have met Huddersfield themselves recently, drawing 1-1 at home. Good performance by Rotertham too but going over the report, the guys suspended for them tonight sound like they'll be a loss. Lovely jubbly.

Vale followed up (away from home I'm talking) their Huddersfield win with a 0-0 at Swansea although it sounds as if it was all Swansea; they simply couldn't score (I might still have a look at MK Dons there).

Port Vale sound ok overall on their travels. They aren't a great side, I concede that but they are more than capable of seeing off the lesser sides by the sounds of it while occasionally mustering a decent showing against the better teams.

They've met Rotherham twice this season already btw: 3-1 loss at Rotherham in the Carling Cup (closer than it sounds, not much between these sides I don't think) followed not long after with a 2-0 home win - again, sounds quite tight.

Rotherham's team news could give Port Vale the edge tonight I think. If you have an internet1x2 account they have Port Vale @ 3.30 which looks good to me, 3.10 @ betfair 3.05 @ canbet 2.88 @ Stan James or 2.87 @ Bet365

Port Vale on the handicap might be worth a shot if you prefer. It's not easy but they're in with a decent shout.

[MickeyPaul]

Blackpool v Oldham - Here's a few words from the Oldham manager. I still fancy them to nick it at decent odds:

Boss Ronnie Moore sees the Blackpool game on Tuesday night as a chance to keep the pressure on the teams at the top.

He said: "The players believe in themselves and have got through the 30 points mark very quickly.

"We were struggling the 20's for a long time, now we want to get through the 40's as quickly as we got through the 30's.

"We will see how everybody is on Monday, then take it from there.

"That's what the squad is all about and I am not frightened to put any of them in.

"David Eyres and Chris Killen did a good job on Saturday when they came on and if they are playing I am sure they are going to be happy."

Neither has figured for some time but Ronnie added: "You have to do what you think is right.

"I have to make a decision for the football club on what I think can win us the game.

"I have not had a fall-out with either of them, they are good lads.

"Eyresy wanted to go out on loan and play games and Killen has had a little chip on his shoulder just recently, but I don't think I have ever been his favourite person.

"But they are professionals and getting paid.

"Eyresy did everything I asked of him and they had a beautiful little link-up on the edge of the box.

"I am not here to be liked, my job is to win games. Simple as that.

"There is nothing in our division and lots of performances against the league leaders were good.

"We have kept two clean sheets in a row and a few more of those would help keep the points ticking over."

[rcgills]

Gills team news is now up on the official site. Apparently Cox may now make the squad, although it's debatable whether he'll get his place back anyway, as we've kept clean sheets in the two games he's missed. Byfield has apparently resumed light training, and a late decision will be made on whether he'll be included. Hope and Hessenthaler are both rated doubtful.

[MickeyPaul]

Going over Oldham's reports and they sound a decent enough side. I think they're unbeaten in 9 now too which aint half bad. Blackpool as I said, bottom of the home table although alot of their results look really tight and I'm getting draw twinges. I'll need to work my way through their reports too. Anyone else with any fancies?