League One Betting: North End's firepower can trouble Blades

Preston North End striker Jermaine Beckford

Alan Dudman previews four matches in League One this Saturday, and having tipped up Sheffield United last week in the FA Cup to win, he's against them for this weekend...

Sheffield United 2.546/4 v Preston North End 3.185/40, the draw 3.3512/5

After their FA Cup exploits last weekend, Sheffield United face a huge test of their credentials this Saturday against title contenders Preston. The Blades are becoming something of a knock out specialist - and not just this season. They reached the FA Cup semis 12 months ago, and now find themselves in the League Cup semis. They also claimed the Premier League scalp of Q.P.R recently - which was a winning 6.05/1 tip for this column. 

But United haven't got going in League One despite sitting in sixth, and Preston have been more consistent. 

Firstly the hosts and their 'bread and butter' form reads LDDLDD, whilst their record at Bramall Lane in the third tier is equally unimpressive with three draws from five (two losses) and three 1-1 score lines. 

I spoke about Sheffield United as a team that struggle to break down opponents, and this should be set up for an unders tilt. 

Preston North End have got some real firepower in their ranks, and I hope Jermaine Beckford starts to roll in the new year. I've always liked him, and he should bag a plenty at this level. Whites manager Simon Grayson has also signed Sylvan Ebanks-Blake - and from a goals point of few - North End have more in them. 

However, their away record is one of keeping it very tight and nicking a goal. Away from  Deepdale they have conceded just twice from their last five games, including a 1-0 win at league leaders Bristol City. They have also secured six (combined total) 1-0 and 2-0 wins on the road. 

Preston can stop teams playing, and they 'done a number' on Norwich at the weekend with a 2-0 win in the FA Cup, and they should be able to do the same against Sheffield United who really struggle to break teams down at home. I would certainly look to trade the 0-1 and 0-2 correct score too. 

Recommended Bet
Lay Sheffield United @ 2.546/4

Barnsley 2.707/4 v Yeovil Town 2,721/1, the draw 3.505/2

I generally like to oppose teams that arrive back in League One after playing lofty opposition. So Yeovil fit the bill perfectly after their brave effort against Manchester United. The Glovers can be proud of their work against Louis Van Gaal's side, but the sheer energy consumed with the amount of pressing is usually unsustainable for 90 minutes. Which is when the big teams kill you. 

I can never understand how well lower league teams play against top sides, yet week on week they perform so poorly and inconsistently for months. Why can players at this level not produce those performances for large chunks of the campaign? Most of it comes down to consistency, but there's always that 'raise it ' factor. 

Anyway, Yeovil have been very poor this term and sit bottom. Their league form reads terribly with five losses from six. They have also been rather impotent up front, with eight goals in their last nine, and four of those came in one game. In that run they've hit five banks. 

Barnsley are quite possibly the worst team to try and tip at this level. A typical League One side. Capable, good players, inconsistent and mid-table. Bah humbug. 

However, they hold some decent home form at Oakwell. They've lost two of their last seven on terra firma, with five of the seven over 2.5 goals. It's a plus they have experienced defender Peter Ramage staying on loan (recently extended), plus Danny Wilson has signed Chelsea youngster Alex Kiwomya along with Ben Pearson (Manchester United), George Waring (Stoke City) and Milan Lalkovic. 

The Tykes have produced a real mixed bag of results, but this should be a game they see as winnable. They played fairly well at Preston on Boxing Day (losing just 1-0) and a similar sort of effort can see them go close. Historically the Opta stats side with the hosts, as the Glovers are yet to win at Oakwell (admittedly from just two matches). 

Recommended Bet
Back Barnsley to win @ 2.77/4

Chesterfield 1.9520/21 v Port Vale 4.1n/a, the draw 3.711/4

There's a slight risk that Chesterfield could be tired from all their FA Cup exploits from Friday to Monday, but four days rest can hopefully get Paul Cook's team in the right frame of mind for Saturday's test. 

Now the reason I want to back the hosts is their game-plan really suits playing against passing teams. It's worked twice in the FA Cup with the MK Dons (winning both games including the void one 0-1), and there's no better passing team than the Dons. 

Vale have tried to play the ball under Robert Page and they are stringing together a nice run of four wins from their last five. I'm not quite convinced about their staying power for the play-offs, but they are certainly better than they were under Micky Adams. 

Chesterfield's latest league effort was in Cook's assessment - labelled as poor. A point in a 0-0 draw at Coventry is not such a bad result, but their big players never fired. Winger Gary Roberts is excellent at this level, his magic can turn a game. Whilst 22 goals worth of Eoin Doyle this season continues to see the division's top scorer linked with several clubs. The Spirerites showed their fighting spirit in midweek though with a stirring comeback in their FA Cup tie against Scunthorpe. 

Port Vale's away record is unimpressive courtesy of Opta stats - which reads only three victories from 25 games on the road (D7 L15). 

Recommended Bet
Back Chesterfield to win @ 1.9520/21

Walsall 2.0421/20 v Scunthorpe United 3.711/4, the draw 3.814/5

A few weeks now I've been writing about Scunthorpe, yet they continue to be overpriced and overlooked in every match they play. They have really improved under Mark Robins and currently have hauled themselves out of the relegation zone with a brilliant run of just one defeat in 10 - which is essentially play-off form. 

And the angle we have gone with a couple of times recently is that Scunthorpe score. They make the most of their chances, they won't hurt you with possession - which Walsall will have anyway as the hosts - but they can hit teams on the break. In that run of 10 games they have scored 16 goals with away wins at Peterborough and Barnsley. This could be another 'yes' in the both teams to score market. 

Walsall are a funny team to predict, and I've given up on them recently. I wouldn't like to back them at 2.05n/a but I would the visitors, who may have squandered a two goal lead in midweek during their FA Cup tie with Chesterfield - but again that tells us about their ability to score. As do Opta stats - which highlight that Walsall have found the net in each of their last 11 meetings with the Iron. 

Recommended Bets
Back 'yes' in both teams to score market @ 2.01/1
Back Scunthorpe United to win @ 3.711/4

League One 2014/15 P/L (all selections one point)

- 10.38 pts