League One Betting: Essex Not The Only Way

Essex residents are unlikely to be smiling this Saturday

Hertfordshire meets Essex this weekend, in a match-up of England's two nightclubbing hotspots, with League One man Alan Dudman against Joe Dunne's Colchester. Elsewhere, the future could be looking brighter at Bournemouth with a possible return of their golden boy Eddie Howe.

Colchester United 2.767/4 v Stevenage 2.767/4, the draw 3.4012/5

Saturday 15:00 BST

I was sad to see Colchester sack their manager John Ward last month, as the 61-year-old is a hugely likeable and respected coach - who had little money. The new job at the Weston Homes Community Stadium has gone to Joe Dunne, and the fresh-faced boss wants them to play football.

Dunne's philosophy and vision yielded victories in his first two matches in charge (at Swindon and Hartlepool). But Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Yeovil was a fairly poor display, as the Essex side lacked their tempo of the previous games, and they kept hold of the ball too long. Dunne insists he will never 'go long', which is why this encounter might suit the visitors.

I have probably been guilty of pigeon-holing Stevenage as a long-ball team. Perhaps they can be, but they are so well organised and strong defensively, that boss Gary Smith perhaps doesn't get the credit he deserves. The Hertfordshire outfit are still unbeaten this season and sit second in the table - behind the flying Tranmere.

Stevenage have scored in every game this season, yet have conceded only four goals in six matches. On the
negative side they can start slowly, but regular readers of this column will know how hard they are to beat. On Saturday, the Reds won at in-form Notts County 2-1, in which Smith's game plan was to give the Magpies the possession and ask them the question to break them down.

The visitors might do the same here, with Colchester being allowed the ball early in the game, as Stevenage are more than capable of soaking up pressure. A tight first-half will bring into play the much underrated HT market, but a lay of the hosts seems a fair play.

Recommendations:
Lay Colchester @ 2.767/4
Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.804/5
Back draw HT @ 2.1411/10

Bournemouth 2.001/1 v Leyton Orient 4.30100/30, the draw 3.505/2

Saturday 15:00 BST

The Bournemouth frenzy continues, and at the time of writing speculation is fever pitch as to who will take over the vacant manager position. Reports are suggesting Eddie Howe (a real golden boy of the Cherries) will come back, I hope so. If I can't have Harry, I will take Howe. Other names linked have been Gary Johnson of Yeovil and MK Dons boss Karl Robinson.

For all their troubles and woes this season, the Bournemouth job would be one of the best in the football league. An excellent playing squad, with financial muscle, they should be contenders. It's no surprise that former England goalkeeper David James, who has played three games for the Cherries, described it as a really good team who are just not doing it on the pitch.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Coventry presented some positives. Their play in the first-half was good,and in spells looked a team that pass the ball well. The Sky Blues tried to stop them playing, which probably tells us how mediocre they are. However, Bournemouth didn't make the most of the opportunities, and their two centre-backs look a problem at the moment.

Orient look a better side with the addition of signings Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands, and the Londoners are fairly direct. Away from home they have secured wins this season at Walsall and Swindon. The key to their 1-0 success at Swindon was a different formation, set up with width whilst looking very solid. The Londoners will sense the apprehension of the hosts and play tight early, and I don't think there will be too many goals in this.

Recommendations:
Back HT draw @ 2.1011/10
Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.001/1
Back 0-0 @ 12.0011/1
Back the draw @ 3.65n/a

Tranmere Rovers 1.715/7 v Yeovil Town 5.509/2, the draw 3.953/1

Saturday 15:00 BST

The case is a fairly straightforward one here. The layers have finally warmed up to Tranmere's brilliant season so far, and with Yeovil in town, I could expect no more than 1.715/7 for another home win.

The Merseysiders are unbeaten in 11 this term, winning four of their five games at Prenton Park - with the draw being the only blip - and a 96 minute blip at that. A painful blow for this column. They have the best attacking record in the league (scored 26 goals) and best defensive record, so there is no reason not to get involved even at odds-on.

Rovers boss Ronnie Moore will be without the services of Jean-Louis Aka Akpro, who has a broken bone in his foot, which has ruled him out for three months. Veteran Andy Robinson is also struggling to be fit for this weekend.

Recommendations:
Back Tranmere to win @ 1.715/7
Back Tranmere to win 1-0 7.6013/2, 2-0 9.008/1 and 3-0 17.0016/1