The betting angle – Chesterfield v Doncaster Rovers

[Dons News]

Such is the competitiveness in League One, just six points separate the top six from the 16th-placed club in League One.

Doncaster Rovers, who currently sit 11th in the table, are three points behind sixth-placed Rochdale and have at least one game in hand on three of the four teams directly above them.

With Paul Dickov’s side on a run of just one defeat in their last 10 league games, there is every reason to think that Rovers can make the playoffs at the very least.

On Saturday, Rovers travel to in-form Chesterfield, who are on a fair run themselves, with their two defeats in the last 11 outings coming at leaders Swindon and at home to FA Cup giant-killers Bradford.

The Spireites made their way up into the playoff positions with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Crawley Town at the Proact Stadium on Tuesday evening, their third successive home win. In each of that trio of games, they scored three times. It is 34/5 (4.50) that they score three goals or more on Saturday.

Historically, Dickov’s side boast a decent record against Chesterfield. Rovers have won four of the last five meetings – including a 3-2 home win in the reverse fixture last September – and have drawn another.

In five meetings away from home, Rovers have lost just once. Rovers’ recent form means that they are considered 9/4 (or 3.25) sots to win at the Proact on Saturday.

Chesterfield, who last managed to beat Rovers at home in December 1994, are 11/10 (2.10) to win. A draw has occurred five times in 12 meetings and it is 23/10 (3.30) that a stalemate is the outcome again.

Historically, goals have been hard to come by when these two meet. No less than 10 of the last 12 meetings yielded under three goals. It is 20/23 (1.87) for there to be under 2.5 total goals in the game this time, while it is 48/49 (1.98) that there will be three goals or more scored.

Rovers have been tough to beat in recent weeks and are unbeaten in their last seven road games in League One. However, they have conceded in five of those seven games and it would be a brave man to take the odds of 29/10 (3.90) for Chesterfield not to score.

In contrast, Rovers have managed to net in six of their last seven games on the road and the odds for them to do so at least once on Saturday are 43/100 (1.43).

Rovers have the fifth-best away record in League One, while Chesterfield have the fifth-best home record.

Something has to give – or does it? Neither side have been particularly easy to fathom this season, but we think a low-scoring stalemate is the most logical outcome. You can get odds of 27/5 (6.40) for a 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere in League One, Crawley look set for a drop to League Two following their abject display at Chesterfield on Tuesday.

They entertain a Preston side who have the third-best away record in the league, having won seven of their 13 road games and conceding a league-low 11 goals on their travels).

Given Crawley’s lack of confidence, you would think Preston are certainties at 16/25 (1.64), but despite beating the Reds in the last two meetings, they have yet to taste victory at Crawley. We therefore go for a draw at 13/5 (3.60).

Bradford’s tremendous 4-2 F.A. Cup win at Chelsea last weekend earned them a home fifth-round tie with Fulham or Sunderland. This weekend, it is back to a more mundane league campaign and a visit from Colchester United.

The Bantams (32/39 or 1.82) have managed to beat Colchester (31/10 or 4.10) just once in eight attempts – and that was away from home. Colchester have drawn each of their three meetings at Coral Windows Stadium and another draw, which is on offer at 5/2 (3.50), may well ensue.

Remember, you can claim your £20 worth of free bets when you sign up with Club Doncaster’s new betting service clubdoncaster.myclubbetting.co.uk (terms and conditions apply).

Odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change. You must be aged 18+ in order to bet.

View the full article