Sheff Wed - MK Dons

It’s finally happened, Alan Irvine got fired from a position of manager after 3-5 defeat at Posh.  New boss is Mandaric’s man of trust - Gary Megson (interesting, he has signed a contract on 3.5 years). He will have to wake the squad as it’s obvious they have enough quality for serious battle for promotion. First problem is their recent disgusting run of results. They’ve noticed only one win out of last eight in league (poor B.Rovers at home, 6-2) and conceded too much lately. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in last nine games, in those nine conceded shocking 25 goals (scored 18) and eight of those went in over.

Second problem is MK Dons are on fire. They have three wins of last five and are undefeated on the road in last four (two wins, two draws). They’re sixth, playing very well and won’t be lacking in self confidence at Hillsborough.  Home side will miss suspended midfielder Darren Potter, Dons defender defender Sean O'Hanlon.

Long waited Irvine’s departure delighted fans and motivated the players. Adding on that home ground and bigger quality, the Owls should be strong favourites here. However, the Dons will see their chance in Wednesday’s poor defending and they don’t have a problem to score lately. I’m going on goals.

Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.91 William Hill
Stake: 8/10

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Sheff Wed – Carlisle

Wednesday made a decent start of the campaign which should return them into Championship. It’s no need to talk about their potential. Players like Tudgay, Morrison, Potter, Purse or Mellor are definitely names for the higher level. In my opinion, they have even better team than last season when they were in the second tier. Boss Irvine has on injury concerns as the only missing is winger Jermaine Johnson. Despite the defeat in last round (away to Brentford, 0-1), Irvine will probably set unchanged side.

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Carlisle have noticed a good start without a defeat in 5 opening games. Defeated Brentford and MK Dons, resisted away to Plymouth and Colchester and drew at home vs. Swindon. I have an impression they’ve been playing little over their potential and expect their drop in the results. However, for the visit to Hillsborough manager Abbott can not count on midfielder duo Bridge-Wilkinson and Hurst, while Michalik already made his debut in defense line and is expected to appear again. Defender Danny Livesey remains sidelined.

 

Wednesday are main contender for a direct promotion, look like a mean machine recently (didn’t at Brentford though, but really should have got something from that game) and I can’t see them losing too much points this season, especially at home. With all respect, Carlisle’s role here will be to make, with their 2nd place, Owls serious.

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Bet: Sheff Wed -0.75

Odd: 2.00 bet365

Stake: 7/10
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That's it, good luck to all.
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Sheff. Wed. - Dag & Red

Wednesday should be (beside Southampton) the main contender for winning the league. They’ve made some changes in the squad. Strikers Leon Clarke and Francis Jeffers and goalie Lee Grant left the club, but management brought some very quality replacements. Striker Mellor and midfielder Sedgwick from Preston, ex Coventry top striker Clinton Morrison and former Man City and England Under-21 goalkeeper Nicky Weaver. Boss Irvine came too late to clean all the mess that Laws left in the club, but this season Wednesday with players like Tudgay, Purse, O'Connor, Miller, Johnson (beside mentioned four) should be too much for the rest of the league. Also, important thing is they made an arrangement with bank about financial debt and won’t be forced to sell the best players. Only concern for today’s game is mentioned winger Jermaine Johnson who is battling to overcome a knee injury.

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After securing promotion to the third tier for the first time by winning last season's play-off final, Dagenham became the bookmakers' favorites for relegation. Manager John Still worked wonders in getting them up, but if he can keep them there it will be a real miracle. Team simply has a limited potential and with average home attendance that rarely get above 2.000, they’ll be hardly competitive on this level. Dagenham have some doubts over defenders Scott Doe and Abu Ogogo who picked up knocks in pre-season, while striker Paul Benson is expected to start.

 

Home side is a main contender for the top and they look even stronger than in previous season. It’s always risky to take handicap in the first round, but beside obvious class difference, importance of a good start and packed Hillsborough should guarantee a convincing win. 2-0, or 3-0 correct score.

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Pick: Sheff.Wed. -1ah

Stake: 8/10

Odd: 2.04 Pinnacle