League Two Betting: Take a walk on the Wilder side

Chris Wilder is enjoying this season, despite injury headaches, as Northampton have risen to sixth

Northampton might have injuries, but they are riding high in sixth in League Two and worth backing against out-of-touch Burton. Portsmouth might also be worth a risk, says Ian Lamont...

Northampton 2.35/4 v Burton 3.55/2; the draw 3.55/2
Saturday, 14:00

The Cobblers were a tentative long-shot for the title in early August and have done well considering they have a string of injuries, thankfully now abating.

Much of that is down to the canny Chris Wilder who could find himself on the wrong end of criticism by the doubters at Oxford but who steered the U's to the top three last season having earned them promotion back to the Football League. His last 18 months were achieved on a budget of a mid-table side, I am led to believe.

Northampton fans are in the 'relief' phase of the football cycle, having only just stayed up last season - and enjoying it as the team sits sixth. Tuesday's JP Trophy win at Portsmouth brought with it an outpouring of positivity on social media including one suggestion that this was going to be THE season.

Certainly with Matt Duke, Emile Sinclair, Kevin Langmead and Danny Alfei due to return to training, they might not miss injured again Marc Richards overly, especially having recalled Alex Nicholls from Exeter.

It might also be a good time to face Burton, who got League Two's version of the yips by hitting the summit and then struggling to find their feet. One win from six in all competitions gives Gary Rowett a headache after rejecting out of hand an enquiry from the mess which is Blackpool.

When you have Stuart Beavon and Adam McGurk, the effects of selling Billy Kee should not be long term, although they look like they are coming home to roost at present.

Despite midweek euphoria, Northampton must overcome patchy league form and the fact that the cup was something that not many seem to care about.

Burton have, at least, scored in all but one league game this season, but have never netted more than twice, which has been a facet of their tight play for a couple of seasons. In recent league defeats they have shipped three goals a time. 

But that might mean Northampton have to score twice to win. Opta say they have scored in the last eight league games - the joint longest run in the division with Accrington. They are a good price to risk the home victory.

Recommended Bet
Back Northampton @ 2.35/4

Portsmouth 2.35/4 v Mansfield 3.55/2; the draw 3.55/2
Saturday 15:00 kick-offs

Pompey boss Andy Awford believes that his side are due to lash several goals past one opponent, given how many chances they created at York.

Yet the number of on and off target chances, which just about hit double figures, is about average per game for a team in this division.

If he is right that his team should have converted more of their openings, it appears that the South Coast club might have been storing them up, as they have only scored 10 times in 12 games. Top scorers? Craig Westcarr and Jed Wallace with two each. 

If that doesn't make happy reading, then the positivity of having signed Danny Hollands for his goal threat from midfield (from Charlton) isn't proving prophetic.

So the price on a home win is short enough, even against a team with one win away, the rest defeats, and who have netted just three times on their travels.

Like Pompey, they have failed to score in the last two games but, unlike their hosts, they have lost not drawn. They also have their captain Adam Murray suspended and defenders Ryan Tafazolli and John Dempster injured, leaving Paul Cox desperately trying to sign one.

Fratton is doubtless a less fractious place than last season, but picking up points does not look much easier, even if financial worries have eased at the former FA Cup winners are debt free after their spiralling descent into multiple administrations of recent years. Maybe now is their starting point for future success.

Cheered by their huge following, this would be a good game to start, especially as Portsmouth are without a win against Mansfield in four previous league meetings, say Opta.

Recommended BetBack Portsmouth @ 2.35/4

Carlisle 2.89/5 v Stevenage 2.8615/8; the draw 3.412/5

Keith Curle's Carlisle revolution - on the field and inside the club - faces its stiffest test yet against ambitious Graham Westley who always appears to be eyeing the next division up, as if his team has the potential to walk into it.

Potential it remains at present. But they will put up a better fight than Hartlepool, whose manager Colin Cooper resigned after defeat at home to Carlisle last week.

Stevenage have been hit and miss, on the one hand keeping three clean sheets in the last five  but on the other not winning more than one game at a time. In fact, Opta point out, Stevenage have not registered the same result (win, lose, draw) two games running.

Chris Whelpdale (four) probably didn't expect to be top scorer.

Carlisle have started to find their feet and confidence under Curle, who must be delighted he has David Amoo scoring twice in his three games, with others following suit in front of goal against Pool.

Curle has repainted the manager's office and installed discipline, famously fining one of his coaches for talking while he was addressing the team.

Recommended Bet
Back Carlisle @ 2.89/5

Exeter 2.1411/10 v Hartlepool 3.814/5; the draw 3.55/2

Despite only winning late in injury time at Dagenham in their last league game, resurgent Exeter are worth sticking with as they chase a fifth win in a row.

And in fact, reveal Opta, if they made it five successive 2-1 wins they would be only the second team to do it in Football League history, the first being Bristol Rovers in 1990. Look for 10.09/1 if you want that correct score.

One senses they might have to do it the hard way, having also conceded in every game. 

Keeper Christy Pym and midfielder Matt Grimes have already returned once from England Under-20s duty to play a day later for the Grecians. Of course, it would be preferable if they had recovery time, but the resilience and enthusiasm of youth could well continue to count for a lot against managerless Hartlepool.

Recommended Bet
Back Exeter @ 2.1411/10

2014-15 P/L

+8.55pt