League Two Betting: Stevenage to sink Dons

Matt Tubbs will be missed at AFC Wimbledon but should be a great addition for Portsmouth, once settled

AFC Wimbledon have to cope with life after the FA Cup adulation now - as well as cope without the division's joint top scorer Matt Tubbs, now at Portsmouth where he might not find victory just yet, says Ian Lamont...

Stevenage 2.47/5 v AFC Wimbledon 3.412/5; the draw 3.55/2

There is a danger of 'after The Lord Mayor's Show' about AFC Wimbledon's first game after giving an excellent account of themselves against Liverpool on the BBC in the FA Cup.

Bayo 'The Beast' Akinfenwa shook off an injury to play and looked sluggish by the end of the game so has to  be a doubt, while strike partner and League Two's joint top scorer Matt Tubbs has moved to Portsmouth after his parent club Bournemouth recalled him in order to seal the switch.

That gives the more youthful and lively Ade Azeez a chance to start, as with new signing Jake Reeves, having left Swindon. Sean Rigg will hopefully, from the Dons' point of view, be fully fit to press from midfield after being substituted.

However, Stevenage seem to have found a bit of form. They are four games unbeaten, after three wins in a row and a draw, the run of victories being the first time they have strung wins together this season.

Graham Westley's methods must be paying off. Charlie Lee scored in all those wins and furthermore they are unbeaten at the Lamex Stadium in seven league and cup games.

Despite the inconsistency of their results so far, they are in tenth place, handily positioned for an assault on the play-off positions in the second half of the season.

Recommended Bet
Back Stevenage @ 2.47/5

Newport 2.3411/8 v Portsmouth 3.412/5; the draw 3.55/2

While Portsmouth might have signed the division's joint top scorer, Matt Tubbs, Newport are on a roll that will be hard to break, particularly with Pompey's turgid form away from Fratton Park.

Six wins from seven, interrupted by a defeat at Luton, is a strong run from Justin Edinburgh's men who now have Chris Zebroski back in harness having missed almost a month, especially having scored twice.

But while he has scored seven and is joint top scorer despite supplying being what he is really known for and there for. Newport have not done too badly without him but now he is back they have risen to fourth, sniffing the automatic promotion spots.

Portsmouth have been slightly improved on the road, with two 1-1 draws. But they have had a lot of changes. Tubbs will improve them, but could take time to settle in a squad which Andy Awford deemed too big at 29 about a week ago. Then Gary Waddock had to deny that he was there to effectively be the manager, having taken on the assistant's role.

Defender Paul Robinson has been brought in from Millwall for 18 months while something has gone awry if Ricky Holmes can play few enough games to be considered for a loan, having been shipped out to Northampton. There is plenty of sorting out still to do at the south coast club while the hosts are in hot form.

Newport are unbeaten in 11 at home, scoring in each, point out Opta, while Pompey have won none of their last 10 away.

Recommended Bet
Back Newport @ 2.3411/8

Dagenham 3.412/5 v Oxford 2.3811/8; the draw 3.412/5

By all accounts, Dagenham were extremely lucky to land my 4.57/2 gamble at home to Bury last week. In addition, they have not won back-to-back home games since November 2013 state Opta, who add that Oxford have scored in nine out of their last 10 away games.

Patrick Agyemang might have returned to Portsmouth, but it seems his loan was not a success, particularly given Dagenham had not scored for four games before Saturday's victory, a prediction based more on Bury's lack of prowess on the road rather than anything Dagenham had achieved.

Jamie Cureton, aged 34, and Rhys Murphy, who has scored once in his seven games this season having netted 13 last season, must now carry the burden of being Dagenham's goal threat. Scott Doe might have been impressed with a young back four, but they will do well to keep Oxford at bay.

It seems unlikely Tyrone Barnett will return to Oxford says Michael Appleton, at least just yet. The Peterborough striker has many admirers and, like Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, would have signed a deal had one been sorted in August. In Barnett's case the clubs failed to agree and a permanent deal fell through just before deadline day in August, when Oxford had to resort to a loan. Now, he could be offloaded to higher divisions than League Two. If not, another U's loan might occur at the end of January.

That leaves Danny Hylton, top scorer, the slightly unnatural spearhead of an attack, something Appleton hopes to address with the clearance for Patrick Hoban, 23, from Ireland. He signed from Dundalk in November, but couldn't get clearance until the transfer window and, in any case, had an ankle injury.

Oxford had started to put some points together, notably with victory at Plymouth, and should be trusted here. Opta add weight saying Dagenham have lost a league-high 18 points from leading positions this season. Meanwhile, Oxford have won a record 10 points from losing positions in away games.

Recommended Bet
Back Oxford @ 2.3811/8

Southend 2.01/1 v Plymouth 4.47/2; the draw 3.55/2

In contrast to Victoria Road, the place to go for the long odds chance this weekend is Roots Hall. 

John Sheridan was extremely unhappy with his charges at York City last weekend, assessing that he thought the Minstermen should have won at least 3-0. He won't tolerate another duff performance, especially after the Pilgrims have made such progress this season.

They are still without suspended Aaron Bentley, but with Lewis Alessandra, Bobby Reid and Reuben Reid they cannot fail to make chances. Clearly Christmas has not been good for them but having scored three goals in each of the two preceding games it is time to get back to business having slipped to seventh.

Southend seem to have slipped into a rut of draws or scoring only once. Three draws from four games and three goals in five games (one in each of three) has at least been combined with three clean sheets. Now, they are sweating on the fitness of striker Barry Carr. The disappointing thing is he is their joint highest scorer with four league goals. Despite that, the Shrimpers have nudged above Plymouth. A draw is perfectly possible, especially as Southend have kept a clean sheet in 12 of their last 20 at Roots Hall and not conceded more than once in a game in that time, but I'm risking the away win on the basis of the quality of the strikers. If you fancy the concluded 1-0 away win as a side bet, it is priced 12.011/1 in the actual score market.

Recommended Bet
Back Plymouth @ 4.47/2

P/L 2014-15

+7.73pt