English League One
2013-02-09 - Carlisle United vs Stevenage
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – League One
Saturday 9th February 2013 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Carlisle United take on mid-table Stevenage at their Brunton Park ground on Saturday afternoon with the hosts looking to record back-to-back wins for only the second time this season.
CARLISLE UNITED
The Cumbrians pulled off an unlikely away win at League One leaders Tranmere Rovers last weekend winning 1-0 and now take on Stevenage who have themselves been impressive on the road so far this term.
Carlisle are on a three match unbeaten run which also includes a 1-0 home win over eighth placed Coventry City and a draw against battling Scunthorpe United who are looking to stave off relegation.
Carlisle’s home record stands at 5-3-7 21/30 and they have conceded the most number of goals at home in the division; indeed they’ve kept just three clean sheets in their last 17 home matches which doesn’t set them up at all well against one of the best away sides in League One.
Matty Robson and Jon-Paul McGovern are the danger men for The Cumbrians now that Joe Garner has left for Preston NE.
STEVENAGE
Which brings me onto the visitors – an away record which stands at 8-2-3 17/12, Stevenage possess one of the best away records in League One having racked up 8 wins so far second only to Doncaster Rovers who have chalked up 10 on their travels.
Stevenage actually have a better away record than their home one which stands at an indifferent 4-5-6 19/25, and they have recently beaten the likes of MK Dons, in-form Yeovil Town, Hartlepool and Crewe along with getting a point at Bournemouth.
As you can see, Stevenage tend not to concede too many goals away from home and I can see them nicking one, perhaps two goals here and holding onto that lead against a Carlisle side who find it difficult to keep a clean sheet.
Lucas Akins (9 goals, 3 assists) is Stevenage’s leading goalscorer as the visitors look to post back-to-back victories themselves which could lift them up around the fringes of the play-off pack.
THE BETTING VERDICT:
Carlisle’s tendencies to concede goals at home along with Stevenage’s strong away form makes me give the visitors the edge here.
I’ll take the quarter ball handicap in our favour any day of the week in this one! Stevenage could nick this 1-0.
The Pick :
Carlisle United 0 Stevenage 1
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
