English League Two
2013-01-26 - Burton Albion vs Barnet
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Two
Saturday 26 January 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Burton Albion
This is a really important game for Burton Albion who have ambitions at the upper end of the League Two table, but they are not being fooled by Barnet's position as they are one of the form teams in the Division. Manager Gary Rowett has been speaking about not under-estimating Barnet, while also playing up the strength of Burton at home.
At the start of the weekend, Burton are in 7th place in the League Two table and that means they are currently occupying the final Play Off place in the Division. The 42 points they have picked up means Burton are only 3 behind Northampton Town in the final of the automatic promotion places, so there is plenty to play for in the final four months of the season. The side are 9-3-2 at home this season, scoring 30 goals and conceding 15.
However, the form hasn't been great as Burton have lost 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions, although one of those was in the FA Cup at Leicester City from the Championship. Burton have actually won 4 straight games at home in League Two since a surprise 0-1 loss to Aldershot Town, a result that should show them that they can't afford to take struggling sides easy.
Barnet
Edgar Davids taking over as sole manager of the club has actually given Barnet a lift and recent results have been positive enough to take them out of the relegation zone in League Two. Davids is actually doing an impressive job in his first appointment as manager and he clearly has instilled some confidence in the side.
Barnet are 21st in the League Two table and find themselves 2 points clear of the relegation zone, although both Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers have games in hand which can see them leapfrog the Bees. The side have a 3-3-8 away record in the League, scoring 10 goals and conceding 21 in those games.
However, while the team may be at the wrong end of the table, Barnet will point to the fact that they have lost just 1 of their last 6 games and they have actually picked up 13 points from a possible 18 in that run. Barnet are unbeaten in 3 away games, but that is even more impressive when considering those games have come at Gillingham, Exeter City and Rotherham United, all sides in the top 6, and Barnet have won 2 of those games.
Head to Head
Barnet beat Burton Albion 3-2 at Underhill earlier in the season.
The side should also be confident travelling to the Pirelli Stadium considering Barnet have won on their last 2 visits including a 1-2 win last season.
Burton have only won 1 of their 7 home games against Barnet.
Prediction
I can't be having Burton Albion at odds on to win this game considering Barnet's recent away games, and instead will play the over 2.5 goals option at a decent looking 1.85 offered by Pinnacle.
Barnet are a side that can score goals on their travels as shown by recent games at top 6 sides so Burton shouldn't hold any fear for them. On the other hand, the home side score plenty in front of their own fans so goals does look the call.
The last 4 games between the sides have had plenty of goals too so over 2.5 goals will be my call.
The Pick :
Burton Albion 2-2 Barnet
