Fancy A Flutter On The Valiants This Weekend?
Port Vale are 100/30 underdogs with Sky Bet to beat high-flying MK Dons this weekend.
The Valiants take on Karl Robinson’s third-placed side at Vale Park, kick-off 3pm, in a fixture that could be crucial to both clubs.
Rob Page’s side have run the Dons close in their last two meetings, losing by the odd goal on each occasion, and Vale are 11/2 to win by exactly one goal on Saturday afternoon.
At Spotland Stadium on Easter Monday, the Valiants came within seconds of keeping a clean sheet against Rochdale only for Calvin Andrew to score a last-gasp header.
Despite MK Dons’ attacking prowess, Vale are 7/1 to win to nil this weekend and striker Tom Pope is 7/1 to bag the first goal, should he be fit enough to play.
The visitors, meanwhile, are 3/4 favourites to extend their current winning run to five games and keep the pressure on Preston North End, who occupy the second automatic promotion spot.
Striker Will Grigg, on loan from Championship side Brentford, is just one goal away from making it 20 for the season and Sky Bet have him at evens 1/1 to do just that inside 90 minutes against Vale.
For more odds please go to www.skybet.com. Please note that odds are subject to change.
Barnsley vs. Chesterfield
Barnsley’s run of six Sky Bet League 1 wins on the bounce earlier in the year seems a distant memory as they’ve since gone five without tasting success, drawing three and losing two. Sky Bet make them 6/4 to regain the winning thread against Chesterfield. The Tykes have slipped away from the play-off places in recent weeks and are now 80/1 to be playing in the Championship next season and 25/1 for a top-six finish. Lee Johnson’s side welcome an in-form Chesterfield to Oakwell and the visitors are 13/8 as they bid to claim a fifth straight success. The draw is 23/10. The Spireites have done really well since selling the league’s leading goalscorer Eoin Doyle to Cardiff and have won three of their last four without conceding. An away win to nil can be backed at 4/1 and must be considered closely, while a repeat of the 2-1 victory to Chesterfield in this fixture earlier in the season is also tempting at 9/1. But Barnsley have been good enough for seventh in the table on home form alone, scoring plenty of goals in the process, and both teams to find the net in this one at 4/7 looks nailed on.
Top Tip: Both teams to score at 4/7
Coventry City vs. Colchester United
This is a huge game for two sides battling for survival and Coventry, three points ahead of Saturday’s visitors Colchester in the Sky Bet League 1 standings, are evens with Sky Bet to pick up all three points. Tony Mowbray’s Sky Blues, whose home form has been patchy at best throughout the campaign, haven’t won at the Ricoh Arena since February but took the corresponding fixture earlier in the season 1-0 and a repeat victory is 10/1 in a correct score market topped by 1-1 at 5/1. Colchester’s recent form has been far more encouraging and the 5/2 against an away win makes some appeal as the U’s have won three of their last four, drawing the other. The U’s have found the net at least twice in each of their last five and the 5/6 on offer against over 2.5 goals being scored in the game looks worthy of support. However, the best bet appears to be 23/10 against the draw, with plenty at stage and the hosts having drawn more games than any other team in the league.
Top Tip: A draw at 23/10
Crewe Alexandra vs. Leyton Orient
With Crewe and Leyton Orient both on 46 points and sitting either side of the Sky Bet League 1 relegation line going into the weekend, there’s likely to be a real edge to this one. The visitors, unbeaten in their last three, are preferred in the betting at 11/10 to claim the win, as they did with a 4-1 victory in this fixture earlier in the season. A repeat scoreline in Orient’s favour is 40/1 with the Football League sponsor, with 1-1 the most popular correct score at 5/1. Crewe have drawn a blank in their last two outings and its 7/2 against a Leyton Orient victory with under 2.5 goals being scored in the game. Steve Davis’ side are 12/5 to pick up their ninth home win of the season and they can be backed at 7/2 to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1. The draw looks a major player at 12/5 given how much both sides will be scrapping for points, but Orient are a major threat on the road. Having won seven times away from home already this term, and they look a good price at 11/4 to prevail by exactly one goal.
Top Tip: Leyton Orient to win by exactly one goal at 11/4
Doncaster Rovers vs. Rochdale
Doncaster are 5/4 favourites for the win as they play host to Rochdale (2/1) on Saturday, with the draw priced up at 23/10 by Football League sponsor Sky Bet. With one win in seven, however, mid-table Rovers are out of sorts at present and they are struggling to contain sides at the Keepmoat Stadium. Paul Dickov's men have conceded at least two in their last three games in front of their own fans and Rochdale to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 is worth consideration at 10/1. Dale sit one place outside the top six and are 16/1 to be playing Championship football next season with victory in the play-offs. They have won four of their last six but haven't drawn a game since the end of January so you'd expect it to be another case of all or nothing for Keith Hill's team. The visitors have only kept one clean sheet in eight and a Rochdale win with over 2.5 goals being scored in the game rates fair value at 7/2.
Top Tip: Rochdale to win and over 2.5 goals at 7/2
Gillingham vs. Bradford City
Bradford's push for a play-off place was dealt a severe blow when beaten 3-0 at home by Preston on Monday and they look to bounce straight back against Gillingham on Saturday. Phil Parkinson's side had previously recorded a 3-0 win at Doncaster and it's worth pointing out the Bantams, priced at 7/5 to pick up all three points at the Priestfield Stadium, have won more games on their travels than at home this season. Free-scoring Gillingham are 7/4 for victory but they've only won one in their last seven, drawing four in that sequence, and it's 23/10 against this one ending all-square. Backing over 2.5 goals at 5/6 seems logical but a price that makes more appeal is the 9/4 against both sides finding the target in the second half.
Top Tip: Both teams to score in second half at 9/4
Oldham Athletic vs. Sheffield United
Oldham's season is in danger of fizzling out and they play host to promotion hopefuls Sheffield United on the back of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Crawley on Easter Monday. Dean Holden's side, 21/10 for the win, have now lost three in six, scoring just once in their last three, and they're 2/1 to draw a blank against the Blades, who are 23/10 to take all three points from Boundary Park. The draw is priced at 12/5, while it's worth pointing out that four of the last five meetings between these two clubs, including the last three, have ended 1-1. It's 5/1 against that trend continuing on Saturday. United come into the game following Tuesday night's exciting 3-2 win over Doncaster but their away form hasn't been great on the whole, despite winning at Barnsley last Saturday.
Top Tip: A 1-1 draw at 5/1
Preston North End vs. Bristol City
The match of the weekend in Sky Bet League 1 sees second-placed Preston host leaders Bristol City. North End are the 5/4 favourites to extend their 11-match unbeaten run with victory and winning would see Simon Grayson’s side move five points behind City with a game in hand. The visiting Robins can be backed at 2/1 and the draw is an option at 23/10. The fans at Deepdale can expect a great game and it would be no surprise if the top two can’t be split.
Top Tip: The draw at 23/10
Scunthorpe United vs. Crawley Town
Only goal difference splits Scunthorpe and Crawley in the Sky Bet League 1 table ahead of this clash between the strugglers on Saturday. Scunthorpe, who sit one place higher in 18th, are the odds-on favourites at 5/6 to win, Crawley can be supported at 3/1 and the draw is a 5/2 chance. Both sides are only one-point outside of the relegation zone but Crawley are in the better form with four wins from their last six contests. Scunthorpe have only won one of their previous 11 games and three of their last five matches have contained exactly four goals. You can get 4/1 for that tally this weekend.
Top Tip: Exactly four goals to be scored at 4/1
Swindon Town vs. Peterborough United
Swindon are odds-on favourites at 4/5 to bounce back from two 3-0 defeats in a row with victory at home to Peterborough. Posh have only won one of their last five outings and are 16/5 outsiders for victory on Saturday. The draw can be backed at 12/5. Peterborough have only scored one goal in their previous five matches – Michael Bostwick’s winner in the 1-0 victory over Chesterfield - so don’t expect this to be a match full of action. Under 1.5 goals is worth a look at 11/4.
Top Tip: Under 1.5 goals at 11/4
Walsall vs. Fleetwood Town
Walsall need victory at home to Fleetwood on Saturday to boost their bid to stay in Sky Bet League 1. The Saddlers are on a seven-match winless run but have been priced up as Sky Bet’s 11/8 favourites for the three points. Play-off hopefuls Fleetwood can be backed at 9/5 and the draw is on offer at 23/10. The Cod Army sit four points behind sixth-placed Chesterfield and can be supported at 66/1 to be playing their football in the Sky Bet Championship next season. Fleetwood have won their last two games on the spin to nil and look worth backing at 11/10 to open the scoring this weekend.
Top Tip: Fleetwood to score first at 11/10
Yeovil Town vs. Notts County
Bottom-of-the-table Yeovil are on the verge of having their relegation from Sky Bet League 1 confirmed as they play host to Notts County on Saturday. The Glovers have lost six matches on the bounce to fall away in the survival battle but they could be joined in Sky Bet League 2 by County next season. The Magpies sit third-bottom but are only one point behind Crewe and Leyton Orient in a congested scrap for safety. Yeovil have been made Sky Bet’s 13/10 favourites to win this game, County can be backed at 15/8 and the draw is on offer at 23/10. Both of the Magpies’ last two matches have finished without a goal and a third 0-0 draw in a row can be supported at 9/1.
Top Tip: A 0-0 draw at 9/1
Sky Bet are the Title Sponsor of The Football League. This season, a £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund will go to a Football League club to spend on players in the summer transfer window.
Fans who bet with Sky Bet generate Transfer Fund Tokens and go into a random draw to win a £5,000 prize – and the £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund for their Football League club.
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The Valiants take on Karl Robinson’s third-placed side at Vale Park, kick-off 3pm, in a fixture that could be crucial to both clubs.
Rob Page’s side have run the Dons close in their last two meetings, losing by the odd goal on each occasion, and Vale are 11/2 to win by exactly one goal on Saturday afternoon.
At Spotland Stadium on Easter Monday, the Valiants came within seconds of keeping a clean sheet against Rochdale only for Calvin Andrew to score a last-gasp header.
Despite MK Dons’ attacking prowess, Vale are 7/1 to win to nil this weekend and striker Tom Pope is 7/1 to bag the first goal, should he be fit enough to play.
The visitors, meanwhile, are 3/4 favourites to extend their current winning run to five games and keep the pressure on Preston North End, who occupy the second automatic promotion spot.
Striker Will Grigg, on loan from Championship side Brentford, is just one goal away from making it 20 for the season and Sky Bet have him at evens 1/1 to do just that inside 90 minutes against Vale.
For more odds please go to www.skybet.com. Please note that odds are subject to change.
Barnsley vs. Chesterfield
Barnsley’s run of six Sky Bet League 1 wins on the bounce earlier in the year seems a distant memory as they’ve since gone five without tasting success, drawing three and losing two. Sky Bet make them 6/4 to regain the winning thread against Chesterfield. The Tykes have slipped away from the play-off places in recent weeks and are now 80/1 to be playing in the Championship next season and 25/1 for a top-six finish. Lee Johnson’s side welcome an in-form Chesterfield to Oakwell and the visitors are 13/8 as they bid to claim a fifth straight success. The draw is 23/10. The Spireites have done really well since selling the league’s leading goalscorer Eoin Doyle to Cardiff and have won three of their last four without conceding. An away win to nil can be backed at 4/1 and must be considered closely, while a repeat of the 2-1 victory to Chesterfield in this fixture earlier in the season is also tempting at 9/1. But Barnsley have been good enough for seventh in the table on home form alone, scoring plenty of goals in the process, and both teams to find the net in this one at 4/7 looks nailed on.
Top Tip: Both teams to score at 4/7
Coventry City vs. Colchester United
This is a huge game for two sides battling for survival and Coventry, three points ahead of Saturday’s visitors Colchester in the Sky Bet League 1 standings, are evens with Sky Bet to pick up all three points. Tony Mowbray’s Sky Blues, whose home form has been patchy at best throughout the campaign, haven’t won at the Ricoh Arena since February but took the corresponding fixture earlier in the season 1-0 and a repeat victory is 10/1 in a correct score market topped by 1-1 at 5/1. Colchester’s recent form has been far more encouraging and the 5/2 against an away win makes some appeal as the U’s have won three of their last four, drawing the other. The U’s have found the net at least twice in each of their last five and the 5/6 on offer against over 2.5 goals being scored in the game looks worthy of support. However, the best bet appears to be 23/10 against the draw, with plenty at stage and the hosts having drawn more games than any other team in the league.
Top Tip: A draw at 23/10
Crewe Alexandra vs. Leyton Orient
With Crewe and Leyton Orient both on 46 points and sitting either side of the Sky Bet League 1 relegation line going into the weekend, there’s likely to be a real edge to this one. The visitors, unbeaten in their last three, are preferred in the betting at 11/10 to claim the win, as they did with a 4-1 victory in this fixture earlier in the season. A repeat scoreline in Orient’s favour is 40/1 with the Football League sponsor, with 1-1 the most popular correct score at 5/1. Crewe have drawn a blank in their last two outings and its 7/2 against a Leyton Orient victory with under 2.5 goals being scored in the game. Steve Davis’ side are 12/5 to pick up their ninth home win of the season and they can be backed at 7/2 to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1. The draw looks a major player at 12/5 given how much both sides will be scrapping for points, but Orient are a major threat on the road. Having won seven times away from home already this term, and they look a good price at 11/4 to prevail by exactly one goal.
Top Tip: Leyton Orient to win by exactly one goal at 11/4
Doncaster Rovers vs. Rochdale
Doncaster are 5/4 favourites for the win as they play host to Rochdale (2/1) on Saturday, with the draw priced up at 23/10 by Football League sponsor Sky Bet. With one win in seven, however, mid-table Rovers are out of sorts at present and they are struggling to contain sides at the Keepmoat Stadium. Paul Dickov's men have conceded at least two in their last three games in front of their own fans and Rochdale to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 is worth consideration at 10/1. Dale sit one place outside the top six and are 16/1 to be playing Championship football next season with victory in the play-offs. They have won four of their last six but haven't drawn a game since the end of January so you'd expect it to be another case of all or nothing for Keith Hill's team. The visitors have only kept one clean sheet in eight and a Rochdale win with over 2.5 goals being scored in the game rates fair value at 7/2.
Top Tip: Rochdale to win and over 2.5 goals at 7/2
Gillingham vs. Bradford City
Bradford's push for a play-off place was dealt a severe blow when beaten 3-0 at home by Preston on Monday and they look to bounce straight back against Gillingham on Saturday. Phil Parkinson's side had previously recorded a 3-0 win at Doncaster and it's worth pointing out the Bantams, priced at 7/5 to pick up all three points at the Priestfield Stadium, have won more games on their travels than at home this season. Free-scoring Gillingham are 7/4 for victory but they've only won one in their last seven, drawing four in that sequence, and it's 23/10 against this one ending all-square. Backing over 2.5 goals at 5/6 seems logical but a price that makes more appeal is the 9/4 against both sides finding the target in the second half.
Top Tip: Both teams to score in second half at 9/4
Oldham Athletic vs. Sheffield United
Oldham's season is in danger of fizzling out and they play host to promotion hopefuls Sheffield United on the back of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Crawley on Easter Monday. Dean Holden's side, 21/10 for the win, have now lost three in six, scoring just once in their last three, and they're 2/1 to draw a blank against the Blades, who are 23/10 to take all three points from Boundary Park. The draw is priced at 12/5, while it's worth pointing out that four of the last five meetings between these two clubs, including the last three, have ended 1-1. It's 5/1 against that trend continuing on Saturday. United come into the game following Tuesday night's exciting 3-2 win over Doncaster but their away form hasn't been great on the whole, despite winning at Barnsley last Saturday.
Top Tip: A 1-1 draw at 5/1
Preston North End vs. Bristol City
The match of the weekend in Sky Bet League 1 sees second-placed Preston host leaders Bristol City. North End are the 5/4 favourites to extend their 11-match unbeaten run with victory and winning would see Simon Grayson’s side move five points behind City with a game in hand. The visiting Robins can be backed at 2/1 and the draw is an option at 23/10. The fans at Deepdale can expect a great game and it would be no surprise if the top two can’t be split.
Top Tip: The draw at 23/10
Scunthorpe United vs. Crawley Town
Only goal difference splits Scunthorpe and Crawley in the Sky Bet League 1 table ahead of this clash between the strugglers on Saturday. Scunthorpe, who sit one place higher in 18th, are the odds-on favourites at 5/6 to win, Crawley can be supported at 3/1 and the draw is a 5/2 chance. Both sides are only one-point outside of the relegation zone but Crawley are in the better form with four wins from their last six contests. Scunthorpe have only won one of their previous 11 games and three of their last five matches have contained exactly four goals. You can get 4/1 for that tally this weekend.
Top Tip: Exactly four goals to be scored at 4/1
Swindon Town vs. Peterborough United
Swindon are odds-on favourites at 4/5 to bounce back from two 3-0 defeats in a row with victory at home to Peterborough. Posh have only won one of their last five outings and are 16/5 outsiders for victory on Saturday. The draw can be backed at 12/5. Peterborough have only scored one goal in their previous five matches – Michael Bostwick’s winner in the 1-0 victory over Chesterfield - so don’t expect this to be a match full of action. Under 1.5 goals is worth a look at 11/4.
Top Tip: Under 1.5 goals at 11/4
Walsall vs. Fleetwood Town
Walsall need victory at home to Fleetwood on Saturday to boost their bid to stay in Sky Bet League 1. The Saddlers are on a seven-match winless run but have been priced up as Sky Bet’s 11/8 favourites for the three points. Play-off hopefuls Fleetwood can be backed at 9/5 and the draw is on offer at 23/10. The Cod Army sit four points behind sixth-placed Chesterfield and can be supported at 66/1 to be playing their football in the Sky Bet Championship next season. Fleetwood have won their last two games on the spin to nil and look worth backing at 11/10 to open the scoring this weekend.
Top Tip: Fleetwood to score first at 11/10
Yeovil Town vs. Notts County
Bottom-of-the-table Yeovil are on the verge of having their relegation from Sky Bet League 1 confirmed as they play host to Notts County on Saturday. The Glovers have lost six matches on the bounce to fall away in the survival battle but they could be joined in Sky Bet League 2 by County next season. The Magpies sit third-bottom but are only one point behind Crewe and Leyton Orient in a congested scrap for safety. Yeovil have been made Sky Bet’s 13/10 favourites to win this game, County can be backed at 15/8 and the draw is on offer at 23/10. Both of the Magpies’ last two matches have finished without a goal and a third 0-0 draw in a row can be supported at 9/1.
Top Tip: A 0-0 draw at 9/1
Sky Bet are the Title Sponsor of The Football League. This season, a £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund will go to a Football League club to spend on players in the summer transfer window.
Fans who bet with Sky Bet generate Transfer Fund Tokens and go into a random draw to win a £5,000 prize – and the £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund for their Football League club.
To sign up, go to www.skybet.com/transferfund and select the Football League team you support.