League Two Betting: Expect Burton to Hassel hard

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink can bring a Dutch of class to Burton

With League Two's fixtures spread out across a range of times, Ian Lamont says Bury and Plymouth should win on Saturday before new Brewers boss Jimmy-Floyd serves up a treat on Monday...

Saturday, kick-off 12.05pm
Plymouth 2.47/5 v Portsmouth 3.55/2; the draw 3.412/5

Pompey have gained a bit of confidence in recent weeks, but most of it at Fratton Park where they have been beaten only once in the league this season. Away, they have not been so steady, failing to score in six games running and at least improving by scoring in a 2-1 reverse at Shrewsbury. In fairness they did pick up two 0-0 draws.

Plymouth, meanwhile, are most productive at home, where they have had five wins with clean sheets in their last six matches (losing the other).

Reuben Reid's arrival on loan even seemed to give them a boost, as they scored three in their last game, against Cheltenham, as opposed to enhancing their growing repute for 1-0 scorelines - four wins and three defeats - this season.

The two sets of facts would seem to indicate a slim and low-scoring home win. It is no surprise that under 2.5 goals is 1.748/11. Yet under 1.5 goals is 3.185/40 and over 1.5 1.444/9. So the layers expect one goal or two goals, maximum, in the match.

One caveat to the Pilgrims marching to another victory: Portsmouth's midfielder Danny Hollands finally seems to have found the scoring touch for which he was reputed at Charlton. As Opta point out he scored a hat-trick against the Pilgrims on loan for Pompey last season, so Plymouth know they have to control his contribution. But the hosts have a League Two high nine clean sheets, Opta also remind us, and on that basis get the benefit of the doubt.

Recommended Bet
Back Plymouth @ 2.47/5

Saturday, 14:30
Morecambe 4.1n/a v Bury 2.0421/20; the draw 3.711/4

Bury boss David Flitcroft threatened to dip into the loan market - and he's done so with a vengeance.

With Daniel Nardiello injured and David Platt retiring, the Shakers were down to 18 players and midfielder Duane Holmes has been recalled by Huddersfield.

So no wonder the boss has called in Rochdale full-back Tom Kennedy, defender Hayden White from Bolton (who is suspended until the end of the month), Rotherham keeper Scott Loach and Everton's Hallam Hope.

These are all players from higher levels. In one sense it hardly seems the high-flying Shakers need all those recruits, in another sense they did get a 5-0 thumping at Shrewsbury.

Since then they got back on track with a draw at Southend, a win over Cambridge and then Nathan Cameron paying back a slice of his new three-year deal with a goal in the FA Cup win.

There is no doubt Bury mean promotion business this season so, after three defeats and a draw on their travels, they need to make trips away from Gigg Lane start to count.

Meanwhile Jim Bentley described Morecambe's FA Cup exit at Dover as the lowest point of his managerial career. He is the sort of coach who could do with a few loan players!

He accuses his squad of lacking some character.  Scott Davies - denied the chance to play at Dover by parent club Bury - could return in goal, while Barry Roach and Jamie Devitt are still out.

Bentley has to find the right combination up front, having rotated his strikers. Opta remind us that the Shrimps have failed to win in four attempts at home and even if they do score Bury's 17 goals in the second half of matches is a league high, so don't give up on the visitors too quickly. There is just about value in the price.

Recommended Bet
Back Bury @ 2.0421/20

Saturday, 15:00
York 2.47/5 v Oxford 3.39/4; the draw 3.55/2

Just how 'scared' are York of winning at home? It was one suggestion I read after last weekend's 1-1 FA Cup draw with AFC Wimbledon. The Minstermen have six home draws and their chances of winning have been handicapped by Deon Burton, Ryan Blunt and Diego De Girolamo returning to their parent clubs.

So Jake Hyde - scorer against the Dons - has to start living up to his reputation now, having banged in the goals for Barnet, with Wes Fletcher and Ryan Jarvis the other frontmen to choose from. Crewe's De Girolamo will doubtless be most missed.

Oxford's Michael Appleton claims to have one of those pleasant headaches of too many choices. He says that several players had failed to take their chances before Saturday, so was delighted to see James Roberts score twice on his first start for the U's. Tyrone Barnett was dropped to the bench while 10-goal Danny Hylton will return from suspension revived to continue his assault on the top scorers' chart. 

The visitors have not been too hot away and shouldn't get carried away with an FA Cup victory at lower league opposition, even one riding high. Unlike Bury's Flitcroft, the jury is still out on Appleton who has plenty to do to convince people after a stop-start managerial career.

York's resilience - a refusal to lose, even if they can't seem to win at home - speaks for itself and quite possibly this could result in a 1-1 draw. Opta offer the interesting stat that only Oxford (6) have seen fewer players score for them this season than York City (7). It could be a low-scoring affair.

Recommended Bet
Back the draw @ 3.55/2

Monday November 17, 19:45
Wycombe Wanderers 2.35/4 v Burton Albion 3.613/5; the draw 3.55/2

You'll have to wait until Monday for the last League Two recommendation. But it could well be worth it. It is all about Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The former Chelsea striker was a left-field choice to most for the Brewers' hot-seat, but it is a good one for any inexperienced manager to prove himself. Nigel Clough and Gary Rowett are among those to have been given a chance and the board are not trigger finger happy: they give people time to prove themselves.

Royal Antwerp is Hasselbaink's only other managerial post and he comes highly recommended by Steve McClaren. Brewers chairman Ben Robinson was sufficiently impressed.

Opta state that Wycombe have used just 18 players - fewer than any other League Two side - this season, a close knit which is probably the reason why they lead the division. Former Wanderers player Stuart Beavon has been directly involved in more goals than any other Burton player this season (two goals, seven assists) and he will be out to justify his move from the Chairboys. Now all the new manager has to do is inspire the rest to keep up their promotion assault.

Recommended Bet
Back Burton @ 3.613/5

P/L 2014-15

+4.89pt