Coca Cola League 2 - Boxing Day

[mrmuzeman]

26 Dec-13:00 Barnet v Peterborough 2.40 3.25 2.62
26 Dec-13:00 Carlisle v Darlington 1.83 3.40 3.75
26 Dec-13:00 Leyton Orient v Rushden & D'monds 1.72 3.40 4.33
26 Dec-15:00 Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury 1.90 3.40 3.50
26 Dec-15:00 Bury v Grimsby 2.62 3.40 2.30
26 Dec-15:00 Cheltenham v Chester 2.25 3.20 2.87
26 Dec-15:00 Lincoln City v Boston Utd 2.10 3.40 3.00
26 Dec-15:00 Macclesfield v Stockport 2.00 3.40 3.25
26 Dec-15:00 Northampton v Mansfield 1.66 3.50 4.50
26 Dec-15:00 Oxford Utd v Notts County 2.25 3.40 2.75
26 Dec-15:00 Torquay v Wycombe 3.50 3.40 1.90
26 Dec-15:00 Wrexham v Rochdale 2.00 3.40 3.25

All odds bet365

[mrmuzeman]

Why the hell are Leyton Orient at odds on at home AGAIN

Not just 10/11 either but 4/6 etc.

They really seem to struggle for wins at home and Rushden have picked up some good points on the road this season all in all. Ill be laying that without a doubt.

Orient home record - 4-3-5

Rushden away record - 2-4-4

Orient lost 1-0 to Chester and Bury and drew 1-1 with bottom placed Stockport before that at home. Rushden come off the back of a nice 2-1 away win at Chester, picked up draws at Darlington and Wycombe as well which I benefitted off before.

Id make Orient favourites yeah but no way odds on.

[Swooperman]

Carlisle @ 5/6 Bet365 looks good. i'll be back with info

[Frodo]

I would view any teams wins over Chester with a deal of suspicion Mr M, Chester have an enormous injury crisis and Rushden are still a poor side. However Orients recent destruction of Rochdale is also perhaps more down to Dale's current ineptitude.

Chester will have 4 players back for their visit to Cheltenham so I view their game with a certain amount of suspicion.

Wrexham have the best home record in the league whereas opponents Rochdale are shipping goals left right and centre. Coupled this with the fact that leading L2 scorer Grant Holt is been suspended. Rochdale are still capable of nicking a goal without Holt so it's not without danger but the defensive signs of collapse have been there for a while (as I remember reading a post by a Rochdale fan a few weeks ago) and now Dale are really starting to struggle, 4 shipped against 10 man Orient last week and 4 in the last 20 at Grimsby (who are hardly the most free-scoring of sides). Odds around evens are available at most bookies at represent decent value IMO.

[kompressaur]

Orient's pitch is as wide as it is long almost from memory. Could that be the diff between their great away form and their indifferant home form?

Cheers for that on Wrexham Frodo and youve convinced me into taking some. Others i'll be interested in looking at xmas night will be Wycombe away (ob) Grimsby and Bristol Rovers

[Frodo]

Bury confuse me a bit Komp, they looked a poor a side against us and did little else but scored a wonder goal before we camped in their penalty area for the last 20 mins eventually getting an equaliser. However they do have an identical recent record to Grimsby 3-1-2 which on paper doesn't look great for betting purposes. Grimsby will also be missing Kalala who is their most influential and best player. I'll swerve this one for that reason.

One further note on Wrexham is that they are without Lee McEviliy up front, but to be honest I can't see it making much difference to the final outcome.

One thing to consider with the Bristol Rovers game too is that Rovers could be missing Junior Agogo (wanted by Southampton last season) but Jamie Forrester who would probably come in for him has a good reputation at this level. He recently bagged 4 in a reserve game too. A big doubt for Shrewsbury is Keeper Joe Hart, this youngster is comfortably the best keeper in the division and he will play at a much higher level.

[kompressaur]

excellent stuff and thanks frodo. Its good to har from folks that know this league. Im just here to embarass myslf by posting bbc team news

Barnet v Peterborough
Barnet skipper Ian Hendon is struggling with a back problem and Lee Roache (ankle) is also rated as doubtful. Richard Graham is still recovering from his knee injury and is expected to be out for another three weeks. Peterborough are light in midfield with Paul Carden still suspended and Jamie Hand having returned to Watford after his loan spell. Shane Huke is suffering a back problem so young midfielder Andre Boucaud could get a chance to start.

Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury
Rovers striker Junior Agogo faces a race against time as he tries to recover from a hamstring injury. Jamie Forrester and Lewis Haldene are on standby and John Anderson (knee) could come in after playing in a reserve game in midweek. Shrewsbury keeper Joe Hart is struggling with back pains and Jamie Tolley is suspended. But striker Duane Darby and defender Kevin Sharp are back after suffering throat and chest infections.

Bury v Grimsby
Bury pair Jake Speight (ankle) and Colin Woodthorpe (calf) are both rated doubtful for the visit of the Mariners. Striker Allan Smart has an outside chance of being involved after returning to full training following a knee problem. Grimsby's veteran defender John McDermott is set to be missing with an ankle injury. Midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala is also set to miss the trip to Gigg Lane after suffering a calf strain.

Carlisle v Darlington
Carlisle striker Michael Bridges will be available again after being cup-tied for the LDV Vans Trophy win over Tranmere Rovers. Defender Danny Livesey is also expected to be back after an ankle injury. Darlington defender Ryan Valentine will miss the game through suspension but Brian Close has recovered from an ankle injury to come back into contention. Tresor Kandol, on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge, is expected to have recovered from his shoulder injury

Cheltenham v Chester
Cheltenham defender Jamie Victory is expected to be back in contention after a groin injury. Manager John Ward is expected to name an unchanged side with striker Gary Bradshaw pushing for a return. Chester boss Keith Curle is boosted by the return of midfielder Tom Curtis after a virus. City will also have defenders Scott McNiven, Dave Artell and Carl Regan, as well as striker Ryan Lowe available again following suspensions.

Leyton Orient v Rushden & D'monds
Leyton Orient will be without midfielder Shane Tudor following his sending off at Rochdale. Wayne Carlisle is expected to deputise with Justin Miller staying in the team after suffering no repercussions from his ankle injury. Rushden midfielder Andy Burgess should be available despite reports of a shin problem making him doubtful. But Dan Chillingworth (back) will have to wait before making a return and Chris O'Grady (hamstring) is doubtful

Lincoln City v Boston Utd
Lincoln City boss Keith Alexander will be without Scott Kerr and Dean Keates, who are both suspended. Paul Morgan is also rated as doubtful with an ankle injury and the returning Simon Yeo cannot play until the transfer window opens in January. Boston manager Steve Evans is looking to bring in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan following Chris Wright's hamstring injury.
Lee Canoville is rated 50-50 after suffering a calf injury

Macclesfield v Stockport
Macclesfield winger Martin Bullock is back in contention after recovering from a virus. But midfielder David Beresford is still doubtful for the derby clash with his hamstring problem. Stockport could include striker Liam Dickinson, who has signed until the end of the season from Woodley Sports, in the squad for the Moss Rose visit. Defender Ashley Williams will be missing after being sent off in last week's 2-0 defeat at Notts County.

Northampton v Mansfield
Northampton midfielder Martin Smith (foot) and defender Jason Crowe (hip) are both expected to be fit to face Peter Shirtliff's Mansfield. Young striker Ryan Gilligan is set to be out long term after breaking his collar bone in training. Mansfield defender Jon-Olav Hjelde is expected to be back in contention after suffering illness. Striker Richie Barker is expected to shake off a back problem but Simon Brown (hamstring) is struggling.

Oxford v Notts County
Oxford defender Jon Ashton is set to retain his place at Jude Sterling's expense while Chris Tardif will continue in goal. Chris Hargreaves will serve a one-match suspension against the Magpies. Notts County's David Pipe has a similar spell on the sidelines after picking up five bookings. Adam Tann will be out for six weeks with a fractured cheekbone but striker Steve Scoffham could make a surprise return from a similar injury.

Torquay v Wycombe
Torquay manager Leroy Rosenior has been boosted by the news Adam Lockwood will be available after extending his loan spell from Yeovil.
Long-throw expert James Sharp will be back after a one-match suspension.
Wycombe midfielders Sergio Torres and Robert Lee are both struggling with knocks, as is goalkeeper Frank Talia. Forward Ian Stonebridge, who was recently out on loan at Torquay, is struggling with an ankle injury and is unlikely to feature.

Wrexham v Rochdale
Wrexham will be without striker Lee McEvilly, who will be missing for two to three months after having a pin inserted into his foot. Andy Holt is expected to deputise and Dean Bennett is struggling with a back injury. Rochdale will have striker Grant Holt missing as he serves the second game of a three-match ban. Dale boss Steve Parkin has no other injury worries and right-back Warren Goodhind is back after suspension

[kompressaur]

Peterbourough i was gonna look at as i like them away but i dont like them being a 'bit light' in midfield. Still i'd be interested maybe yet if anyone has any info. No-one is in better 10 match form than Carlise but im a wee bit worried they havent beaten Darlington in the last 13.

Boston at Lincoln i was liking for a draw as i think Lincoln seem to draw all the time i bet them and same with Boston. Interesting enough the last 3 visits to Lincoln has ended in a draw for Boston. Local derby too is it not?

Anyone fancy Macclesfield to stop drawing and get a win at home to Stockport?

Torquay seem rejuvinated. They got some players back? drawing with Notts county, drawing 3-3 at home with both northampton and oxford and then that win at Brs Rovers last week. I always like Wycombe away. Bust me for 5/5 last week when conceding 2 late ones

what you all fancy? surely someone fancies something tomorrow.

[Bigkegman]

I'm on Northampton and Wycombe Komp.

Can't remember the reasoning behind them to be truthful but I've got them both marked on the coupon. In fact my bet is on for Northampton - I think they are unbeaten in their last 6 at home and have won 3 and drew 3 - skybet were the best price if I remember of the bookies I use.

Another reason might have been that Mansfield fecked me last time getting a draw against the posh - but sod it the bets on.

[A.M.P]

Gonna be on Cheltenham after reading about Chester's woes for a few points.

From thisisgloucester:

Chester City boss Keith Curle may make extensive changes to his side for the match at Cheltenham Town tomorrow. Curle had four players suspended and a host of injuries as his side lost 2-1 to Rushden and Diamonds in Coca-Cola League Two on December 17.

Centre-back Dave Artell, striker Ryan Lowe, and full-backs Scott McNiven and Carl Regan will return from one-match bans, but Curle still has injury problems concerning strikers Michael Branch and Gregg Blundell, and centre-back Sean Hessey. Blundell, a £100,000 signing from Doncaster Rovers, is recovering from a haematoma and has not started a match since suffering a heavy clash of heads in a 3-2 defeat against Rochdale on October 7.

Branch and Hessey both have knee injuries and are unlikely to start the game.

Blundell and Branch were named on the bench against Rushden because Curle could not name five fit substitutes.

Chester have written to the Football League asking for permission to extend goalkeeper John Ruddy's emergency loan spell from Everton as they do not have a fit goalkeeper on their books.

Regular first-choice goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie and back-up Ryan Brookfield are both sidelined with injuries.

Curle is most likely to partner former Lincoln City striker Marcus Richardson with Lowe, who joined from Shrewsbury Town in March and has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season.

Right-back McNiven and left-back Regan will be in contention to return in place of Tom Curtis and former Yeovil Town defender Abdou El Kholti respectively.

Maltese international Luke Dimech and former Southport player Phil Bolland were the centre-backs against Rushden, although Artell is likely to return in place of his former Mansfield team-mate Dimech.

Central midfielder Ben Davies has six goals in all competitions this season and he is likely to partner former Liverpool trainee Stephen Vaughan.

Stewart Drummond can play on the right or in the centre of midfield and played against Cheltenham for Morecambe in the Conference.

Left-sided midfielder Craig Dove joined from Rushden and Diamonds in the summer.

Chester City: John Ruddy, Scott McNiven, Carl Regan, Dave Artell, Phil Bolland, Stewart Drummond, Stephen Vaughan, Ben Davies, Craig Dove, Marcus Richardson, Ryan Lowe, Luke Dimech, Abdou El Kholti, Tom Curtis, Sean Hessey, Michael Branch, Gregg Blundell, Paul Rutherford, Justin Walker, Ryan Brookfield.

[A.M.P]

Betfair's Market is well out of sync on the Cheltenham game. 5/4 at best online books but I've just had 4 0quid or so at 2.58 and theirs another 80 quid left around that price. Some firms go as low as 11/10. Strange.

[kompressaur]

sod it Kegman im just for Amp's Cheltenham (i liked them but was worried about what Frodo said earlier in the week) Frodo's Wrexham (i always like them at home) and mibbees Wycombe. Good luck fellas.

[Swooperman]

Carlisle v Darlington

Carlisles home record is mixed with 6-0-5-18-13 but their last 5 is 3-1-1-9-4. Theyre unbeaten in 3 & beat Wrexham last time out.
Darlos away record is pretty damn unimpressive with 2-4-5-12-14 & the last 5 away is 1-0-4-4-6.

Heres the preview:
Carlisle striker Michael Bridges is back in contention for the visit of Darlington. The former Leeds striker was cup-tied for the LDV Vans Trophy Northern Section quarter-final victory against Tranmere.

Defender Danny Livesey missed the penalty shoot-out victory with an ankle injury but is expected to be passed fit to face the Quakers.

Skipper Kevin Gray was withdrawn at half-time against Tranmere but is almost certain to face David Hodgson's side.

United boss Paul Simpson has no other injury or suspension concerns, while the promotion-chasing Cumbrians have released former Newcastle midfielder Jamie McClen.

Ever-present defender Ryan Valentine will miss out for Darlington

The 23-year-old Welshman must serve a one-match ban after being booked for the fifth time this season.

Brian Close returns from an ankle injury to join Matty Appleby and Shelton Martis as potential replacements for Valentine.

On-loan Dagenham striker Tresor Kandol has been struggling with a shoulder complaint but could recover in time.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Sam Russell (fractured fibula) and midfielder David Duke (groin) remain sidelined.

Carlisle for me

[Gaz Stod]

Bit of a derby at Carlisle for us always abit rivalry in this game, Id expect us to be up against it with them on a good run and were go nowhere fast, but with Darlo being so unpredictable anything could happen. Big crowd expected today, 10,000 so it could be a long afernoon if Darlo go behind early.

No bet for me.