West Ham v Wolves, Tuesday 8pm
Anybody would think the Hammers are a top-half team judging by the odds about the east London side winning Tuesday’s match against Wolves. Sky Bet offer 5/6 that Gianfranco Zola’s team get the three points, despite the team losing their last four Premier League matches. It might be an occasion to visit betfair and lay West Ham at around 1.84, or at least considering a bet on their opponents on the Draw No Bet market (12/5 Blue Square).
After all, while the home team’s Italian manager appears to be making all sorts of questionable decisions with player selection, Mick McCarthy appeared to have his tactics spot on when Wolves gained a valuable point at Villa Park on Saturday. The visitors also recently won at Burnley and can be backed at an eye-catching 4/1 (Paddy Power) to claim the spoils in this game. Another draw is available at 13/5 (Victor Chandler), with Kevin Doyle (8/1 Coral) making the most appeal on the First Goalscorer market.
Doncaster Rovers v Newcastle United, Tuesday 7.45pm
The home side have had a fantastic season and still have an outside chance of making the play-offs. After a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday, they need to get on a winning run between now and the end of the season, with Sky Bet going 11/4 that Rovers get the three points. Manager Sean O’Driscoll will be encouraged by Bristol City taking the game to Newcastle on Saturday and Billy Sharp (6/1 Paddy Power) could easily finish top goalscorer in the division.
The Magpies have a sharp shooter of their own in Andy Carroll, who scored his team’s equaliser at Ashton Gate. The striker is in a rich vein of form and bet365 go 7/4 that he scores for the fourth game running. Unsurprisingly, Chris Hughton’s team are strong favourites (11/10 Ladbrokes) to stretch their lead at the top of the Championship to five points, although they have only won seven of their eighteen games on the road this term.
Cardiff City v Sheffield United, Wednesday 7.45pm
These teams were involved in a thrilling match at Bramall Lane in October, with the Bluebirds running out 4-3 winners. If you think more goals are on the cards in this match, Over 2.5 Goals can be backed at 11/10 (Paddy Power), while Over 3.5 Goals is available at 11/4 (Victor Chandler). The Blades certainly need to go for victory as they trail Cardiff by five points, having played a game more.
Kevin Blackwell’s team grabbed a last gasp equaliser at Doncaster on Saturday and they are 3/1 (totesport) to go one better with victory in this match. They will certainly have their chances against a team who blow hot and cold, although City’s 3-1 win over Watford on Sunday was impressive and Dave Jones’ men are even money to cement their spot in the play-offs. Peter Whittingham (15/2 William Hill) is the leading goalscorer in the division and scored a hat-trick when the teams met earlier in the season.