English Football League 
/ Ian Lamont / 24 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
"Stockport almost gained a point at Aldershot last weekend and caretaker boss Ray Mathias is understood to have restored calm in the dressing room after a chaotic period following the departure of boss Peter Ward."
They may be struggling at the bottom, but can Stockport achieve just their third victory of the season this weekend? Meanwhile, the battle for the play-off positions is hotting up with Stevenage, Gillingham and Oxford all in need of points. Ian Lamont picks the best League Two bets.
Stockport [3.35] draw [3.55] Southend [2.28]
Things might be getting a little desperate for Stockport at the bottom, but it is important for punters to remember that they do actually win occasionally. This looks like a chance. Their previous two wins have come at home, against the varying qualities of Oxford and Bury. Southend have lost three in a row away, drawing the one before that, and have won just once in seven games. Their brief flirtation with a play-off chance seems to be over. Stockport almost gained a point at Aldershot last weekend and caretaker boss Ray Mathias is understood to have restored calm in the dressing room after a chaotic period following the departure of boss Peter Ward. Like Accrington, a poor home surface must be to their advantage because at least they know about it. Practically a last hurrah at good odds. A decent value bet.
Macclesfield [3.4] draw [3.45] Stevenage [2.38]
The visitors, under Graham Westley, have found a tremendous late burst as the season reaches its climax. Tuesday's victory at Burton was a fourth in a row and leaves them fifth. The trick is to hold onto a play-off spot after reaching such heady heights for the first time. Many teams fall straight out again. It would seem unlikely that Westley would allow Stevenage to drop their guard. John Mousinho continues to supply goals from midfield, while if centre-backs win leagues - for which it is a bit late - then you will find few better partnerships than Jon Ashton and Mark Roberts. The lack of a focal main striker to bang in goals and build around is undoubtedly why they come up short among the best, but Macclesfield are not in that category. And yet, the Silkmen have only been beaten twice in 11 games, winning at Morecambe in midweek at 3.0 to cement their fine recent form. Hamza Bencherif scored twice, adding to one last Saturday, surely securing League Two football for another season. It is hard to go against Macclesfield, yet hard to see either side ceding easily. The draw at [3.45] seems the best option.
Cheltenham [3.35] draw [3.45] Gillingham [2.35]
Win your home games and draw away for title-winning form, they say. It took a while, but that statistical pendulum has got the Gills into the play-off picture, although they appear to have started their run too late to be title contenders. However, a top three place is very much still up for grabs, given Wycombe and Bury's proclivity for self-combustion. Andy Hessenthaler's team face three winnable games, starting with this one, to possibly propel them into the top three. Two defeats in 22 would seem to suggest they have a chance; however nine of those have been draws. Not all have been on their travels, where they have 10 draws, joint highest with Accrington. But Gillingham have more quality than Stanley to press their advantage for wins on the road and their current position of seventh is the minimum they should be achieving. Cheltenham, in contrast, seem to have gone into freefall. It is a toss up between a draw and away win, with the latter just prevailing, Cody McDonald to keep firing the goals.
Oxford [1.87] draw [3.55] Burton [4.7]
Inevitably, when one points out a pattern it will be broken. But a rare foray into the exact score market is in order after Oxford's last four games have ended 2-1, either to them or their opponents. Another tight game is certainly in prospect, with Chris Wilder's men having just that outside chance of reaching the play-offs while Burton really must start picking up more than draws. Yes, they have games in hand, but these have to be translated into points, even though the two teams below them look particularly poor. The respective odds on 2-1 are [8.8] for Oxford and [17.0] for the visitors. A side dish of the former should accompany a bet on the hosts.
Recommended Bets
Back Stockport at home to Southend at [3.35]
Back Macclesfield to draw with Stevenage at [3.45]
Back Gillingham to win at Cheltenham at [2.35]
Back Oxford to beat Burton at 1.87 and to win 2-1 at 8.8
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