English League Two
2012-09-01 - Gillingham vs Chesterfield
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – League Two
Saturday 1st September 2012 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Second placed Gillingham will be looking to extend their 100% winning record when they host a Chesterfield side still in search of their first League Two win of this season at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Gillingham
The Gills have been impressive so far this season racking up wins over Championship side Bristol City in the first round of the Capital One Cup 2-1 away while beating Bradford City 3-1, Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 and Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 both on their travels.
A second round League Cup loss at home to another Championship club Middlesbrough 0-2 in midweek was understandable but they’ll be looking to bounce right back as The Gills have lost just once in all competitions in their last nine matches including a 3-1 win last season over promoted Swindon Town back in April.
It’s early days but it looks like new manager Martin Allen has instilled a bit more steel in their defensive unit which was becoming sieve-like at times last season.
Defender Tom Flanagan looks likely to return following suspension. Former AFC Wimbledon marksman Danny Kedwell will once again be the main source of goals, and he’s bagged a couple so far along with Myles Weston.
Charlie Allen (2 assists) and Charlie Lee will be ever important in the middle of the park for The Gills this season and look out for the assists tally between them.
Chesterfield
Today’s visitors Chesterfield suffered the agony of relegation in their first season up in League One so straight back to League Two they come.
They’ve started slowly too with an early exit in the Capital One Cup going down 1-2 in extra time to Tranmere Rovers, losing 0-1 at AFC Wimbledon and drawing 1-1 at home to both Rochdale and Rotherham United.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Spireites go on the road in the first few weeks of this campaign as they’ve won only once in their last ten matches away from home, and despite dropping down a division, it’s very hard to turn around a losing away from home mentality once it sets in.
This early trend in continuing poor form has taken it’s toll though with John Sheridan becoming the first managerial casualty of the new season so caretaker manager Tommy Wright will take temporary charge.
Chesterfield have lost the services of promising forward Jordan Bowery (12 goals last season) who was sold to Aston Villa this morning, but experienced striker Craig Westcarr is in line to return to the squad.
The Betting Verdict :
With a top-heavy team of strikers, Chesterfield may well get on the scoresheet but I feel the confidence of Gillingham at home will prove a tough test indeed for the visitors and I’ll back the home side at tempting odds; a 3-2 win for Gillingham in a goal-laden match.
The Pick :
Gillingham 3-2 Chesterfield
BEST BETTING TIP :
Pick :Take Gillingham to win @ 2.10 which looks a steal
