Weekend 27th March 2009

International weekend and one to leave right alone. I’ve been burnt more than once on internationals as it’s hard to weigh up how teams compare. That leaves the games in the lower English leagues. I’ll have a punt on 2 or 3 goals in the Scunthorpe v Colchester game but a few others have caught my eye.

I corrected the post below as I initially had written Doncaster like a wally.

Barnet v Darlington (English League Two: Sat 3pm local time)

Darlington’s recent problems are well documented with them going into administration and there are a lot of issues that brings aside from the points deduction. On another site someone has demonstrated to me the value in opposing teams that have a lot of off-field issues or press and I think Darlington fall into that category. Add to that recent form and you get a good bet. Darlington have lost 6 of their last 9 games and 4 from 5 away from home. Barnet had just 1 home win in their first 14 matches but after a run of 3 draws have now won 4 on the bounce at home and are unbeaten at home in 2009. They have scored 15 goals in the last 5 home games and Darlington have managed just 2 in the last 6 away games. 3-1 anyone?

++ Win Market – Barnet @ 2.4 on Paddy Power (1pt) – 2.42 on Betfair and 2.375 at 5 others

Brentford v Gillingham (English League Two: Sat 3pm local time)

I plug away at the HT/FT bet here. Brentford have been leading at both HT and FT in 10/19 matches and the Gills have been losing at both in 7/19 away. Combining the two we have a 44% chance which is odds of around 2.2. Gillingham have been on a good run though lately and their away form looks decent with just 2 defeats in the last 10 away. However, 7 of those games were against teams in the bottom 9 places. They have been poor against teams nearer the top this season.

++ HT/FT – Home/Home @ 3.5 on Bet365/Paddy Power/Stan James/Coral (1pt) – 3.8 on Betfair

2 points staked on the weekend.

Good luck in whatever bets you do.