English League One
2012-12-08 - Hartlepool United vs Stevenage
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : League One
Saturday 8th December - Kickoff 3:00pm
Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United drew their last league game at Walsall (1-1) to a 4 game losing run. The team is still rock bottom in 24th place and trails safety by 10 points. It's simple if they don't start winning then League Two beckons for this side.
Barron takes over a side that is lacking real quality and trying to break a winless run of 17 league games is going to take some going. Stevenage are the visitors at the weekend and with their minds firmly set on promotion this may not be the ideal game to turn things around.
At home it's 4 straight losses to Crawley (0-1), Tranmere (0-2), Coventry (0-5) and Oldham (1-2). The last home win came back on 1st September against Scunthorpe (2-0) some 8 league games ago as the side has no luck either at home or away.
The goal against Oldham is their first home goal in 3 games. At the other end it's 8 games without a clean sheet and the last time they did that they won!
Stevenage
Stevenage drew with leaders Tranmere (1-1) the weekend before the FA Cup break. The point means the Hertfordshire based club sit in 7th place with 34 points and only goal difference keeps them outside the top 6.
Smith's side surprisingly haven't won in 4 league games, drawing 2 and losing 2. The last 2 at Bournemouth (1-1) and home to Tranmere are really tough games so 2 draws long term may end up as decent points.
Away from home it's 2 without a win as Sheffield United thumped them in a 4-1 win. Before that 3 away wins in 4 at Notts County (1-2), MK Dons (0-1) and Yeovil (1-3) had this side right up there in terms of automatic promotion. Hartlepool away won't be an easy game but one that they certainly can win given the poor form of the hosts.
Stevenage have scored in 4 straight away games and 9 of the last 10 so I fully expect 1 goal at the weekend. Interestingly on just 3 occasions this team has scored 2 or more away from home so this isn't a prolific attack.
Betting Verdict
Stevenage will surely be backed at odds against given how bad the hosts are at the minute. Stevenage haven't won in 2 away from home but against a side that hasn't won in 17 they should fancy their chances.
The home form of the hosts is bad with 4 straight defeats. Hartlepool need to win so obviously I'm expecting a backlash from them but given I priced Stevenage around evens. I have to back them at 2.35.
A negative is that Stevenage don't score 2 often away from home but Hartlepool has been shut out in 3 of the last 4 at home so 1 might be enough for all 3 points. The last 3 visitors have scored 2 or more against Hartlepool so I think Stevenage, one of the best sides in the leagues will do so and that should easily be enough for the win.
Good Luck
The Pick :
Hartlepool United 0-2 Stevenage
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Stevenage To Win at 2.35 Pinnaclesports/VC Bet
