Sky Bet League 1 - Weekend Betting Preview

Sky Bet League 1’s top two marksmen, Chesterfield’s Eoin Doyle and Bristol City’s Aaron Wilbraham, go head-to-head in the game of the weekend at Ashton Gate.

The division’s top scorer Doyle notched his 12th goal of the season in the 3-2 defeat of neighbours Sheffield United last weekend and is now four clear of Wilbraham, although being on home soil makes the City man 7/2 favourite to score the opening goal.

The Spireites goal ace is 11/2 to score the first goal of the contest and Sky Bet offer 9/2 that they both add to their tally during the 90 minutes.

Steve Cotterill’s men are odds-on favourites to make it eight wins from 12 games and it is 13/5 that they maintain their unbeaten record with a draw. The visitors, who have lost just once on the road, can be backed at 3/1 for the three points.

International calls have put paid to games involving second-placed Swindon, Mk Dons (4th) and Preston (5th) giving the likes of Bradford City, Fleetwood Town - 2/1 for victory at Colchester United (7/5) - and Sheffield United chance to move closer to the play-off positions.

Bradford are in Yorkshire derby action at Barnsley in Sunday’s TV game and are 2/1 to make it four wins from six on their travels or 12/5 for a point which would extend their unbeaten record away from Valley Parade to six games.

The Tykes have lost three of their opening four league games at Oakwell but are 13/10 favourites to clinch the three points in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Sheffield United are 6/5 to bounce back from last week’s defeat with victory over Leyton Orient who despite their lowly league position have three draws and two wins from their five away games and are 9/4 to upset the Blades. The draw is 23/10.

Third-placed Peterborough United, who visit Crawley Town (9/4), and Port Vale, who entertain Yeovil (2/1), are both solid favourites in the respective markets for their matches at 6/5 to come out on top.

With Peterborough’s top scorer Kyle Vassell sidelined with a broken foot, it is Conor Washington who heads Posh’s betting in the first goalscorer market at 11/2, with Marcus Maddison, who got on to the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw at home to Carlisle last week, a 6/1 chance to net first in the match. Crawley’s Izale McLeod tops the betting at 5/1.

Interim Port Vale manager Rob Page is reportedly looking at strengthening up the defence after frailties were exposed in their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat in midweek. However his side can score goals too and the 14/1 that both Vale and Yeovil score in both halves makes some appeal.

Home advantage for Gillingham (21/10) and Oldham Athletic (23/10) gives them favouritism as they host Scunthorpe (13/5) and Walsall (12/5) respectively, but bottom club Crewe, who have lost nine of their 11 games, are 9/4 chances for the visit of Coventry City (23/20).

Crewe are favourites in the league sponsors’ relegation market, but optimists might consider taking the 200/1 that they secure promotion this season.

Sky Bet League 1 weekend top tips:

Aaron Wilbraham and Eoin Doyle both to score (Bristol City v Chesterfield) – 9/2
The strike duo are major players in their respective side’s impressive starts to the campaign.

Under 1.5 goals in Crewe v Coventry – 3/1
Crewe have scored only five goals in five home games while Coventry have scored only four on the road.

Port Vale and Yeovil both to score in both halves – 14/1
A speculative bet at a bumper price on two teams who know how to find the net – but have problems keeping their opponents out.