Weekend 9th March Betting Previews

Brechin v Forfar - Scottish Division 2 - Saturday 9th March

These sides are 3^rd and 4^th in the table respectively and the odds on offer, probably at first glance look roughly in line as to what to expect.  However, this is one where league position doesn’t tell the real story.  Comparing the two sides’ respective home and away form, the odds on offer couldn’t look more out of line.  Brechin have a home record of 8-0-2.  Those 2 home losses have come against the top 2 sides in the Division with unsurprisingly the best away records in the league, so that’s no disgrace.  Brechin have also won all of their last 6 home games and go into this fixture high in confidence.  Now, lets look at the away side, Forfar.  They have an away record of 4-1-9, losing 5 of their last 6 away games.  On top of this, Brechin have ran out winners 4-1 on both occasions when the sides have met this season and surely have the psychological edge aswell.  Brechin City for me are one of the bets of the weekend.

Brechin to win (2.15 at BetVictor)

Cowdenbeath v Hamilton – Scottish Division 1 – Saturday 9^th March

8^th placed Cowdenbeath host 7^th placed Hamilton with both sides being priced around 2.7 for the win in this fixture.  Cowenbeath’s home form reads 3-6-3, which granted isn’t the best record, but they are now unbeaten in their last 6 home games with 3 wins and 3 draws.  Hamilton have a poor away record of 3-3-6 and have won just once in their last 6 games on the road.  Cowdenbeath had a rest in midweek whilst Hamilton played at home against league leaders Morton pulling off a superb 2-1 win.  There’s no question this was a great win, but just how much did this take out of Hamilton is the question?  A refreshed Cowdenbeath in decent home form have a decent chance of winning this match and I can’t see them being beaten on their home soil against a side with such a poor away record.  The odds on offer of 2.05 on Cowdenbeath +0 on the Asian Handicap (Stake returned if the game ends as a draw) is no doubt value to me and a bet I’ve taken with great confidence.

Cowdenbeath +0 Asian Handicap (2.05 at Bet365)

Bristol City v Middlesbrough - English Championship - Saturday 9th March

Here we have Bristol City, bottom of the Championship at home to eighth place Boro.  Since Sean O'Driscoll was appointed in January, Bristol City have won 4 of their last 5 home games which has given them a massive confidence boost and seen them progress to just 3 points from safety.  It's fair to say that's a remarkable turnaround in form considering the state they were in, but O'Driscoll has got them well drilled, organised and playing some nice football.  They have scored 11 goals in their last 5 home games beating highflyers Watford and Nottingham Forest both by a 2-0 scoreline at Ashton Gate.  Middlesbrough come into this match in very poor shape it has to be said.  They have an away record of 5-2-11 overall and have picked up just a single point on the road from their last 6 away games, conceding 14 goals in the process.  Bristol City also beat Boro 3-1 on their own patch in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and there is just no way this match should be priced up as it is with Middlebrough favourites.  It truly amazes me we can get over even money on Bristol City +0 on the Asian Handicap and this bet is huge value.

Bristol City +0 Asian Handicap (2.01 at 188bet)

Northampton v Accrington - English League 2 - Saturday 9th March

Promotion chasing Northampton host struggling Accrington with the home win being my pick at a nice price here.  Northampton have the 2nd best home record in the division of 13-2-3 and despite losing last time out away at promotion rivals Exeter, they boast good home form winning all of their last 7 home games scoring 14 goals in conceding just 3 in the process.  Accrington to be fair have an away record that isn't too bad given their league position, of 5-4-9, but they have really fallen off the wayside the last couple of months losing 7 of their last 9 away games picking up just 4 points from a possible 27.  Although Accrington won 3-0 away at Rochdale in there last away outing, it's not something that suggests to me they are about to turn the corner. Rochdale are pretty much in no man's land without the threat of relegation and no possibility of promotion, so any team beating them at this moment of time cannot be taken seriously.  For me, Northampton should be well below 1.5 for the win, and the fact 1.76 is on offer represents great value given all the factors above and I can't see anything other than a home win.

Northampton win (1.76 at Pinnacle)

Fleetwood Town v Exeter City - English League 2 - Saturday 9th March

This fixture sees two promotion rivals come head-to-head and for me it's an interesting game.  Fleetwood sit 9th in the table and have really fallen apart of late cutting their promotion chances from decent to slim.  The problem with Fleetwood has been their home form (6-7-5) and they are without a win in their last 3 at home and only winning 3 of their last 10 home games, their confidence has been shot to pieces and they are there for the taking for Exeter.  Exeter have won 7 of their last 10 away games on the road, losing just twice.  The most recent defeat away being at in-form Bristol Rovers, and the other being away at Burton who boast the best home record in the league, so that's no great concern.  Their general away record of 11-2-5 is the second best in the division, and against a team who's home form is poor I cannot see anything other than a positive result for Exeter here.  They should be favourites for this game and the fact we can take an Asian line which includes draw cover represents outstanding value.

Exeter +0.25 Asian Handicap (1.87 at Pinnacle)