League Two Betting: Bradford to buckle Cobblers

Bradford City's Nahki Wells

Ian Lamont says the Bantams must stand up to Aidy Boothroyd's side and take victory if they are to underline their promotion credentials

Northampton 2.8815/8 Bradford 2.546/4 Draw 3.55/2

How far have Bradford really improved? Despite five figure crowds they have struggled in League Two since falling into it. This season, however, Phil Parkinson's side seem to be getting more things right than wrong. They are riding high and rarely beaten at home. Away, however, it is a different matter, with only one win.

Bad away form has cost the likes of Shrewsbury promotion in the past. There are signs the Bantams can pull through on this, with three goals in their last away defeat and a 0-0 draw before that, showing they can both score and defend, They have also scored seven goals in three games, Nahki Wells netting three. Northampton have reverted to last season's early form and will be glad to return to Sixfields after an Edgar Davids-inspired bashing at Barnet. They have just one defeat in six, but only one win - and have kept clean sheets in three of the last four at home. However, the visitors must stand up and be counted if they want to press for promotion.

Back Bradford @ 2.546/4

Southend 1.748/11 Aldershot 5.79/2 Draw 3.814/5

Before last Saturday's defeat at Morecambe, all Southend's losses had happened on Tuesdays this season. There would seem little chance of Aldershot adding to that statistic in current form. Ben Herd revealed the team had a heart-to-heart in the dressing room and boss Dean Holdsworth seems ever more harsh with each post-match criticism of his players. Clearly the camp is not happy at the Rec. Six straight league defeats leave the visitors and their manager precariously balanced near the bottom.

Southend, meanwhile, have promotion to challenge for and probably won't need to rely on the Opta stat that they have recovered nine points from losing positions this season, nor that they have the division's joint-highest proportion of second half goals. Having read that, I am tempted to back them to even out that statistic and back them to win at half-time and full-time.

Back Southend @ 1.748/11

Back Southend to win winning at half-time and full-time 2.747/4

Chesterfield 2.6213/8 Fleetwood 2.915/8 Draw 3.55/2

You win one, lose one. No wonder the Chesterfield board are taking their time about appointing Tommy Wright permanently as manager. This must be the longest audition in history, however, as it dates back to the end of August. The last six games have reflected tight games - a 4-5 goal difference - and reaped a mid-table eight points for the Spireites who would welcome the return of striker Marc Richards if he makes it. This is a match between a side with only one defeat at home to visitors who have one defeat away.

Fleetwood might be without Jon Parkin again (family issues) and have an equally tight recent record, including three draws in six, two away. That is probably where this game is heading. Win your home games, stay unbeaten away, is the mantra for teams looking for promotion, as Fleetwood appear to be. A scoring draw seems likely as Chesterfield have gone eight games without a clean sheet at the B2Net Stadium, emphasises Opta.

Back the draw @ 3.55/2

AFC Wimbledon 2.789/5 Bristol Rovers 2.6813/8 Draw 3.613/5

Two teams struggling for confidence meet at Kingsmeadow, where, Opta reveal, AFC Wimbledon have conceded a divisional high of eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of league games. These are the sort of telling statistics that lost Terry Brown his job. Neil Ardley must sort that out and has the chance, against one of the lowest away scoring teams in League Two.

Mark McGhee's men are gradually growing as a team, however, with three wins in five, although they only have one win in their most recent 13 away. Dons fans, however, want answers to their woes and Byron Harrison scoring in his last four league appearances at least shows some sot of consistency. A point at Fleetwood is a positive second game to the new manager's career, but now he needs to satisfy home fans with a victory before the icy chill of winter kicks in.

Back AFC Wimbledon to win @ 2.789/5