English League Two
2012-10-27 - Northampton Town vs Port Vale
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : League Two
Saturday 27th October - Kickoff 2:00pm
Northampton Town
The loss at home to Bradford on Tuesday night has seen Town drop down to 17th place. Their margin of safety is only 5 points now and another defeat on Saturday could see them right in the relegation mix.
It's 2 defeats in a row for Boothroyd's side having lost to Barnet (4-0) the Friday before. Town have won just 1 of their last 7 league games including 4 defeats in the last 5.
At the Sixfield's Stadium it's 1 win in 4 and 2 defeats. The sole victory came against Exeter (3-0) as Gillingham (1-2) and Bradford (0-1) inflicted the defeats.
Boothroyd's side started the year 4 unbeaten at home but have fallen away in recent weeks. They have 2 clean sheets in the last 4 but also have failed to score in 2. Overall at home they average just over 1.50 goals a game but that's more to their record earlier in the year.
Port Vale
Vale are looking strong in second place. Their draw at Burton halted their winning run but with 30 points this season they only trail the leaders Gillingham by 2.
Adams is doing an excellent job here as his side are 6 unbeaten. Vale have lost just 1 in the last 12 league games and enter Northampton high on confidence.
Away from home Vale had won 5 straight beating Morecambe (1-3), Plymouth (1-3), Fleetwood (2-5), Bradford (0-1) and Exeter (0-2). Burton held them on Tuesday to a 1-1 draw but given the form of the hosts that's a good point.
15 goals scored in 6 away from home is massive averaging exactly 2.50 a game. Defensively Burton broke a run of back to back away clean sheets so it's easy to see why they are so successful on their travels.
Betting Verdict
Value is with the visitors for me and the odds against quote looks generous. Town are struggling at the minute but their home form earlier in the season puts me off Vale as it's tough to keep winning away from home.
As is often the case in this league goals are my main bet. Port Vale's last 6 away games have averaged just under 3.50 goals a game. The team has scored in all 6 and covered the overs line by themselves in 3 of them!
The hosts have been shut out in 2 of their 7 home games which is a concern. However, they have scored 2 or more on 4 occasions so I'm expecting at least 1 goal on Saturday.
Given the potential of both sides scoring at least 2 each I see this game going overs. Pope is on fire for the visitors and I wouldn't put readers off backing him anytime to score.
Good Luck
The Pick :
Town 2-2 Vale
