League Two betting, Northampton - Burton

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The Cobblers have only one win out of ten at home (vs. bottom side - Dag&Red) and have lost eight of last ten (home and away).They have the worst defence in the league.

In the last two rounds, Burton lost away against leaders Crawley and missed to win against Dag&Red. But, before those two they had five wins out of six matches (both home and away), they’re still at fifth place and are a serious play-off contenders.

Northampton have new manager and goalie (his first signing) which force me to take some limitation, but they'll remain a very poor side. 

Bet: Burton -0.25
Odd: 2.27 (Pinnacle)
Stake: 7/10
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League Two betting, Northampton - Crewe

Northampton won only one game out of home nine. They’ve lost seven of last eight in league and conceded 15 goals in last three matches!

Crewe look a bit better with five wins (and five defeats) of ten games on the road. They also won last two (Hereford and Morecamb).

Think there’s a decent value on away side. Crewe have only one draw of 18 league games (none on the road), there’s not too much point on covering a draw and I am taking straight away win.

Bet: Crewe
Odd: 3.00 (bet365)
Stake: 4/10
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool are expected to use some of the £30m they gained from the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid to make an £18m offer for Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani.(The Independent) 
Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour is also linked with a move to Anfield and his agent Paul Stefani says he would not turn down a move to Liverpool. (The Independent) 
Italian side AC Milan are preparing a £31m bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.(The Sun) 
Darren Bent's transfer to Sunderland has still not been completed, despite the Tottenham striker passing a medical on Monday. (Daily Star) 
Sunderland, meanwhile, are set to sign Lyon defender John Mensah on a season-long loan deal. (The Sun) 
The Black Cats are also keeping tabs on Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson.(The Sun) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has failed with a £5.5m bid for Sevilla centre-back Federico Fazio. (The Sun) 
Wenger says he will wait to sign Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer next season, rather than improve his £6m offer for the striker this summer. (Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham hope to sign Blackburn defender Christopher Samba for £10m to help ease their defensive crisis.(The Sun) 
Manchester United will use their friendly with Valencia to run the rule over midfielder David Silva and forward David Villa. (Daily Star) 
Stoke City want to take injury-prone Everton striker James Vaughan on loan. (Daily Mail) 
Hull are set to sign Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore and have agreed a £3m deal for Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana. (Daily Mail) 
Burnley are in talks with Independiente winger Fernando Guerrero. (Daily Mail)
South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi claims he has secured a move to Fulham from Golden Arrows after impressing on trial at Craven Cottage.(The Independent) 
Southampton are interested in signing former Birmingham defender Radhi Jaidi. (Daily Mirror) 
Ipswich are set to sign Watford striker Tamas Priskin in a £1.2m deal. (Daily Mirror)
Bristol City have told striker Lee Trundle that he is surplus to requirements at Ashton Gate. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has agreed a new three-year contract at the club worth over £100,000 a week. (The Sun) 
Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong has been fined two weeks wages for refusing to travel to play in a friendly at Dundee United, adding to speculation he may be about to leave for Tottenham.(Daily Mail) 
Crystal Palace have been banned from signing players due to a dispute over unpaid bonuses and signing-on fees from last season.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written off Liverpool's title chances, claiming he has more chance of achieving a hole in one in golf. (The Sun) 
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is being considered for a goodwill ambassador's role at former club Manchester United when he hangs up his boots.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile, Beckham and his wife Victoria are in negotiations to buy a £10m luxury home in Chelsea, sparking rumours of a move to the west London club. (The Sun) 
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is being haunted by a vacuum cleaner that keeps turning itself on. (Daily Star) 
Northampton's players will turn out for free on the opening day of the season with their wages being split between the club's eight nominated charities. (Daily Star)
It has been revealed that Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez suffered his recent heel problem after slipping in the shower. Tevez is in danger of missing the start of the season. (The Guardian)
www.bbc.co.uk

Champions League and Superettan

It seems I picked another relegating team, as Northampton, after previous night defeat, will have to grab a point in the last round, in Leeds. MK Dons are now very close to number 3 and easier opponent, making a big semi-final game, between "old friends", Leeds and Millwall. 

As I thought, Chelsea killed Barca's performance with fouls and tough challenges. I saw odds for re-match. 2.40 for home win on Stamford?! That will be my bet, definitely. Other game is tonight, I don't think we'll see too much goals, as Utd. will try to secure their net first (as usually do in European games). They're not so big favorites as bookies rated the game. But, for sure, another game to enjoy. My only bet will be on Sweden second league. So...

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Ljungskile - Trollhattan

The fourth round in Superettan. This is a local derby, between ex-first league and ex-third league team. LJungskile sold some players, but want to make fast return in Allsvenskan. Didn't make a good start of the season. Two points from three games. Two draws (Sirius and Vasalunds IF) and in last round defeat against possible direct rival for promotion, Atvidabergs (0-2 away). After that game, some rumours said it was a set-up. Important fact is Ljungskile is a draw specialist, six draws from last seven competitive games!

Trollhattan has a debut at this level. Started with two defeats (Mjallby 0-1 home, Syrianska Sodertalje 1-2 away), but in the last round got a first victory against Vasby, 1-0 at home. It is well know promoted teams, in the next season, usually play over their capabilities, but I don't think that is a case here and visitors will be around the relegation line, through the whole season.

Ljungskile has more quality and has to win finally to show the ambition. I think odds for this game (Pinnacle 1.88, Expekt 1.80) are little higher than it should be. Local derby and bad start from the hosts can be the reasons. I don't like to much to bet on Scandinavian football, but poor offer today. And rather this than CL clash. Limited stake, home win.

League One

Scunthorpe 3-0 Cheltenham

Scunthorpe eased to victory against already-relegated Cheltenham to move into the last League One play-off spot. 
The Iron, who must avoid defeat against Tranmere on Saturday to confirm their play-off spot, went ahead when Paul Hayes netted from close-range. 
Skipper Cliff Byrne drilled in to double the lead and Henri Lansbury skipped inside and drove in a third. 
The game ended on a sour note when Yuri Berchiche's challenge left Lansbury with a suspected broken leg.

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Northampton 0-1 MK Dons

Northampton missed the chance to secure League One safety as they were beaten by play-off bound MK Dons, with Aaron Wilbraham grabbing the only goal. 
The Cobblers now play Leeds on the final day of the season when a point should be enough to beat relegation. 
Milton Keynes went ahead when Wilbraham turned in a cross from Jason Puncheon. 
Northampton applied some late pressure but Luke Guttridge's shot was blocked and Adam Watts had an effort cleared off the line.
www.bbc.co.uk

Gutless Norwich and the sight on Tuesday

It is simple. You can not win with defending. Especially if you play against tough defence as Reading has. Not a single attempt on target for 90 minutes, I think. I lost my money, they lost Championship and that's it. 

In League One, play-off contender Scunthorpe will host relegated Cheltenham. With three points, host will skip 6th Tranmere. Home side is an absolute favorite, but odds for home win are miserable. I fancy over, but the best you can get is 1.65 at Expekt. 

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In other game, Northampton will seek a point to secure their League One status, as they host MK Dons (who already qualified for play-off). Home side have two wins and a draw from last three games. Looks in a good shape. Will try to finish the job tonight, 'cause at Saturday will travel in Leeds, while rivals have easy games at home. Will be without captain Chris Doig (groin), on-loan defender Jared Hodgkiss is set to come in at right-back, while top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa should start despite not being 100% fit. 

After four consecutive wins and secured play-off, Dons relaxed and lost at home against Walsall. Their only motive tonight can be to finish 3rd and choose Scunthorpe (Tranmere), instead Leeds (Millwall). Will be missing defender Sean O'Hanlon (knee) and on-loan midfielder Stephen Gleeson (ankle).

Usually, I won't bother myself with this one, but Pinnacle offers 2.62 for a home win and I'll follow with a small bet.

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Champions League

Too many talks these days about Barca's superiority. Yes, their team is masterful and it's a real enjoy to watch. But, the fact is in Spain league they always have a space on about 30 metres from opposite goal to accept the ball, look around and make a pass, or do some combination. Don't think Lampard and Essien (followed with others) will allow that. Plus, a duel between Hiddink and Guardiola should give an advantage to visitors. Simply, I don't think any club from any country can play equal with English clubs and see Chelsea as a finalist (Chelsea to pass is about 2.40).  Also, I would like to see Arsene Wenger squad (about 2.30 to pass) as their opponent. Won't bet seriously, just enjoy in footie. But, it is stronger than me to make a sweet, little, gamble combo on "outsiders". Chelsea and Arsenal to pass in final.

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That's all for today, lads. Cheers.