English League One
2011-10-22 - Tranmere Rovers vs Walsall
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – League One
Saturday 22nd October 2011 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Tranmere Rovers will be looking to extend their winning run to three matches when they host Walsall at Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon.
Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers beat Accrington Stanley in the League Trophy and then beat Oldham Athletic 1-0 last weekend to put them in 11th place and just four points off the top six.
Les Parry’s side have lost just once in their last five matches which was a 1-2 loss at Preston NE, but have recorded wins over Wycombe Wanderers and Oldham, along with grabbing a point at leaders Charlton Athletic 1-1.
Rovers’ home record stands at 3-3-1 6/3, and have kept five clean sheets out of their seven home league matches so far. Parry may well stick with the same team that beat Oldham last time out which means Joss Labadie (2 goals, 1 assist) may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Forward Lucas Akins (1 goal, 3 assists) and midfielder Robbie Weir (2 goals) have also contributed, and this match could be Jose Baxter’s (2 goals, 1 assist) last in a Rovers shirt as he’s expected back to Everton soon.
Walsall
Walsall travel up to the Wirral with renewed confidence following their 1-0 win over Preston NE last weekend which halted a run of seven matches without a win, but on the road it’s just one win in their first six matches.
The Saddlers have an away record of 1-2-3 7/8, and their solitary win was at fellow strugglers Bournemouth, but have been found wanting when away at clubs above them in the league.
Midfielder David Martin will miss this match as he returns to Derby County following his loan spell at the Bescot Stadium, but the good news for manager Dean Smith is that striker Jonathan Macken (2 goals, 1 assist) returns after missing the Preston match.
Striker William Grigg (3 goals) is their leading scorer, while Kevan Hurst and Richard Taundry have each contributed with 3 assists.
Head to Head
Looking at the head-to-heads in previous encounters there’s been plenty of goals, but I don’t think we’ll get the same amount of goals as the last two fixtures between these two sides; 3-3 and 4-1 in favour of Tranmere.
The Betting Verdict :
Of the two sides, I feel Tranmere are the more solid particularly at home and given Walsall’s weaknesses on the road so far, I’ll take Tranmere to nick this one 1-0.
The Pick :
Tranmere 1-0 Walsall
BEST BETTING TIP :
Pick :Take Tranmere Rovers to win @ 2.05
