Lays of the Weekend: The Gillingham ascent continues

Justin Edinburgh has inherited a promising situation at Gillingham

Michael Lintorn shuns the Championship in favour of three enticing lays in Leagues One and Two...

Lay MK Dons to win at Gillingham @ 1.814/5

This week's column begins with two of the sides that contributed to a clean sweep last weekend. MK Dons were thwarted on home turf by Bristol City, while Gillingham were the flies in Sheffield United's post-double-cup-disappointment ointment.

Priestfield potency has seldom deserted the Gills for long on their recent journeys up and down the divisions. The aforementioned victory was their third in a row in front of the Kentish crowd and they are currently unbeaten in six matches at all venues.

Karl Robinson's return to the dugout couldn't prevent MK Dons from losing at Bradford on Monday, and the Buckinghamshire buccaneers have won just once in their last four road games, dropping points against moderate foes such as Crawley and Scunthorpe.

Lay Peterborough to beat Rochdale @ 2.47/5

Elsewhere in League One, Darren Ferguson's men have been dishing out points at London Road like mascot Mr Posh does sweets on his pre-match stroll around the ground. Their guests scarpered with three points in five of their last seven home games and a share of the spoils in one of the other two.

Visiting Rochdale are the division's sixth-best travellers and Keith Hill's men have won five of their eight ventures to bottom-half teams since their promotion, drawing another.

They unquestionably pack the goal threat to get something out of this fixture too, having scored at least twice in four of their last five away matches. Against hosts who have mustered just 16 home goals this term - and only four in their most recent eight such clashes - that should prove decisive.

Lay Portsmouth to beat at Exeter @ 2.26/5

If the Posh's lay price seems appetising, then Portsmouth's is almost farcically generous. Exeter may have won just three of their previous dozen league outings, but they have denied their hosts three points in ten of their last 12 road trips.

Pompey look anything but a reliable win bet, with the sole victory that they have achieved in their last 11 games coming 1-0 against seemingly-doomed basement club Hartlepool at Fratton Park.