After a week off due to Covid Gaz is back with a tempting treble for this weekend’s EFL action.
Hartlepool v Grimsby
Sat 29th Oct 15:00
Hartlepool come into this game rooted to the bottom of the League Two table and on a run of 5 straight losses in all competitions. I said at the start of the season that they looked set to struggle given their squad turnover and that has been proven correct. The Pools look out of their depth at this level and face a tough task on Saturday when Grimsby come to Victoria Park. The Mariners lost in mid-week but were unbeaten in 4 matches prior to that loss. Their record on the road is very solid (W5, D1 L2) and nearing the halfway point of the season they’re still very much in the playoff picture. Paul Hurst’s men are priced at odds against and that looks like value to me. A Grimsby win (6/5) is the bet for me in this one.
Northampton v Newport County
Sat 29th Oct 15:00
Northampton are flying high in the League Two table and most of that success is due to their form at Sixfields (W5, D1, L2). The Cobblers had a sticky spell earlier in the month where they lost back-to-back games, but they’ve got back on track more recently. There will be obvious disappointment in only coming away with a draw in mid-week when they were 2 goals in front, but Sutton are no mugs and a draw is still a decent outcome. On the positive front top scorer Sam Hoskins returned on Tuesday and that’s a real boost. Hoskins leads the League Two scoring table netting 11 goals in 10 matches. With Hoskins back in the fold and facing a Newport side struggling for form and goals (average 0.875 goals per game) a Northampton win (23/20) looks a great bet.
Doncaster v Gillingham
Sat 29th Oct 15:00
A quick glance at these sides’ recent records and most people would probably look to avoid the game altogether from a betting perspective. Doncaster haven’t won in 5 league matches (W0, D2, L3) and have started to slide down the table as a result. In their defence, they have had a relatively tough run facing top sides such as Leyton Orient and Stevenage. Gillingham have only lost one of their last 5, but 3 back-to-back draws gives them a return of just 6 points from a possible 15. While on paper the Gillingham run may look appealing, 4 of those matches were at home. The Gills have been terrible on the road failing to win any of their 7 away matches (W0, D3, L4) netting just 2 goals in the process. Given that run of away form and the fact that Doncaster have a good record at the Keepmoat (W4, D1, L3) I’m backing the home side to take all three points here.
Smart Bets
Hartlepool v Grimsby: Grimsby Win @ 6/5 (5 points)
Northampton v Newport: Northampton Win @ 23/20 (2 points)
Doncaster v Gillingham: Gillingham Win @ 6/5 (2 points)
Above in a treble 9.5/1 (1 point)
