English League One
2010-09-04 - Milton Keynes Dons vs Hartlepool United
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : England : NPower League One
Saturday 4th September 2010 – Kickoff 12.15pm
Hosts, MK Dons will be looking for back-to-back wins as they take on Hartlepool United in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.
MK Dons (10th)
The Dons recorded their first home win of the season last weekend when they beat Swindon Town 2-1 with a brace from striker Sam Baldock securing all three points. All seems to be well on the Milton Keynes front with manager Karl Robinson even releasing defender Pele with the return of defenders Mathias Kouo-Doumbe from suspension and Gary Mackenzie’s improving fitness meant he was surplus to requirements.
It’s been a bit of a mixed bag of results for MK Dons so far; they avenged for their final match of last season defeat to Walsall when they beat The Saddlers 2-1 away in the opening fixture of this season. They then travelled to Carlisle United and were on the receiving end of a 1-4 thumping. And, despite trailing The Robins 0-1 at half-time last week, they won through thanks to a second-half brace from Baldock.
But they have the chance of stringing together a second win on the trot against early strugglers Hartlepool United.
Manager Karl Robinson is set to name an unchanged side for the visit of Hartlepool United, this includes the absence of striker Aaron Wilbraham, defenders Stephen Gleeson & Gary McKenzie, and Jude Stirling.
Hartlepool United (17th)
Hartlepool United started the new season with a 0-0 draw away at newly promoted Rochdale, then won at Yeovil Town 2-0 which got them off to a good start.
However, the wheels well and truly came off last weekend, losing 0-5 at home to Sheffield Wednesday who incidentally should not be in this league and should at the very least be playing Championship football IMO.
Anyway, back to Hartlepool and there are early warning signs again that if things don't improve quickly and for a sustained period, they may well not avoid relegation again this season (they survived courtesy of an 8 goal better goal difference to Gillingham) – The Pools away record last season was 4-5-14 26/41, which they will be keen to improve on this time around.
Pools caretaker manager Mick Wadsworth has a major concern over striker James Brown for the trip to Milton Keynes. Ritchie Humphreys and Fabian Yantorno are likely to be named on the bench as they build up fitness, but defender Neil Austin is still sidelined with ankle ligament damage.
Head to head :
The MK Dons have never lost to Hartlepool United at home, indeed they thrashed them in their last meeting between the two sides with The Dons running out 5-0 winners away in January this year.
The Betting Verdict :
A Dietmar Hamann-inspired MK Dons should be too strong for Hartlepool in this one.
BEST BETTING TIP :
Pick: Take the MK Dons to win at 1.75.
