Welcome to our Friday tipping round-up. Most of you know the drill by now, but for those that don't, every week I will post my betting suggestions for the weekend (which you may well wish to steer well clear of), as well as our predictions contest.
Carlisle to beat Walsall at 7-5
After a run of one win in five, the Cumbrians look to have rediscovered their mojo with back-to-back home triumphs against Tranmere and Southampton. Next up comes a trip down the M6 to the division's bottom side, who have already upset this column once when backing against them this season (that 2-1 win over Exeter is their only success in 13 games, of which 10 have ended in defeat). If anything, though, the situation at the Bescot has become even more dire, with safety now eight points away and only 15 goals scored in 16 matches. Their defence has also conceded near-on two goals a game and will again struggle to deal with the threat posed by Gary Madine (recovered after a knock against Saints) and the on-loan US striker Mike Grella.
Tranmere to beat Notts County at 7-2
Despite riding their luck at times against Plymouth last week, Tranmere's third win in four games marks them out as a team to watch this weekend, especially at such a generous price against a Notts County side who sit three points behind them (with a game in hand) and have yet to garner any bounce from Paul Ince's arrival. His two-game tenure thus far reads P2 L2, while the Magpies' last six games reads P6 L5 W1. They've also conceded six goals in Ince's 180 minutes, and are likely to more than have their hands full with the 17-year-old midfielder Dale Jennings, whose solo screamer settled last week's victory and made it four goals in nine starts, and striker Ian Thomas-Moore (five in his last seven).
NB: prices with Betfair and correct at the time of publication
Tipping contest
As you'll note from the scoring, late starters have been awarded one point for every week they have missed.
The top of the table so far (I'll post the full table in the comments section below) ...
markier 30
PiggyPingoPiglet 27
Thewalthamstowone 24
Bobby142 24
josedinho 22
fmgazette 22
MrMondypops 21
captainmorganrum 21
richardw 21
Theloneraver 21
As for this week: make your result (not scoreline) prediction for each of the following games below, with one point per correct result:
Cardiff v Nottingham Forest
Norwich v Leeds
Notts County v Tranmere
Walsall v Carlisle
Aldershot v Chesterfield
Port Vale v Wycombe
I'm tipping Cardiff, Leeds, Tranmere, Carlisle, Chesterfield and Wycombe. You can also follow me on Twitter if you want more money-losing tips/predictions through the week.
