Football Bet of the Day: Pilgrims may make progress, and it might not be pretty

Steven Pressley was a committed player, and he demands the same work ethic from his charges at Coventry

After bagging his first winner of the week, Kevin Hatchard's on the hunt for more profit, and he's picked out a tie from the Football League Trophy.

Coventry City v Plymouth Argyle
Wednesday November 12, 19:45

It was a nervy 90 minutes, but Kickers Offenbach came through for us in the end. Having taken a seventh-minute lead, the Regionalliga Sudwest leaders held onto that slender advantage to extend their lead at the top to four points. They're happy, we're happy.

We take in a rare English match today, as Coventry City take on Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Trophy. The Sky Blues have had a miserable few years, with decline on the pitch matched by idiotic administration and financial wrangling off it.

Coventry coach Steven Pressley has made a habit of defending his players, but his patience snapped after the weekend's pitiful FA Cup exit to non-league Worcester City. Pressley has made it plain that some underperforming individuals will be jettisoned at the first opportunity, players who aren't showing the passion and commitment the former Scotland defender requires.

Coventry's angst contrasts sharply with the serene progress being made by Plymouth Argyle, who up until recently boasted the best defence in England's top four divisions. Manager John Sheridan has finally put his stamp on the club, and he demands hard work and concentration. The Pilgrims are sixth in League Two - just three points off an automatic promotion slot - thanks to a seven-match unbeaten run. If you include the weekend's FA Cup win over Fylde, Plymouth are unbeaten in eight.

Given that Coventry have lost four of their last six matches, including that FA Cup horror show, it's not unreasonable to suggest that they are too short for the home win at 2.01/1. You could lay them, or maybe back Plymouth Draw No Bet at a healthy 3.052/1.

However, the bet I'm recommending is No in the Both Teams To Score market at 2.226/5. You may look at Coventry's last eight games and think I've finally lost the plot, as all of them have featured at least three goals, and have seen both teams hit the net.

As far more beautiful creatures than me have said in the past - "here comes the science bit". 13 of Plymouth's 19 games this season have either seen just one team score, or no goals at all. Sheridan sets great store by keeping games tight, and restricting the opposing attack. Indeed, after the weekend's 2-0 win over Fylde, he complained that the non-league side had been allowed too many scoring opportunities.

With Pressley's criticism ringing in his players' ears, I think Coventry will approach this game with a fair degree of caution, and there might not be as many goals as the market thinks.

Recommended Bet

Back No in the Both Teams To Score market at 2.226/5

2014 P/L (1 pt per bet)

Points Staked: 51

Points Returned: 48.3

P/L: -2.7 points