November 20 2008

The Football League

Crystal Palace get the opportunity to avenge last season's play-off defeat when they host Bristol City this weekend.

While revenge will be at the forefront of Neil Warnock’s and his squad's mind, that may be more difficult than the prices suggest. Bristol City have defied expectations of a tough second season so far, currently sitting just outside the play-offs.

The strength of the Robins' campaign has been their away form, where they line-up difficult to breakdown and counter with pace, as Palace found to their cost in the first leg of the play-offs last season. Defeats against the better quality sides Wolves and Sheffield United are the only blots on City’s away form so far this term.

Palace will be boosted by the return of the inspirational Julian Speroni but Saturday promises to be a stern test for the inconsistent Eagles. A lack of goals is still a worry and at the prices the 5/2 about Bristol City winning is far greater value than the 5/4 about Palace coming away victorious considering there is very little between the sides.

Back Bristol City @ 5/2 with Bet 365.

The likes of Reading and Wolves both look good things at home this weekend but are very short to justify. Therefore there looks much better value in a double on Plymouth (6-4) to beat Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday (11-10) to defeat Coventry at around 4/1.

Back Plymouth / Cardiff Double @ 4/1 with all Leading Bookmakers