Welcome to our tipping round-up. Most of you know the drill by now, but for those who don't, every week I post my betting suggestions for the weekend (which you may well wish to steer well clear of), as well as our predictions contest. The blog can also act as a talkboard for any Football League-related discussions over the weekend.
Charlton to beat Rochdale at 9-5
Another FA Cup-reduced card limits our interest, especially in the Championship, but this League One match offers a decent opportunity to get on side with Chris Powell's Addicks. Two-nil winners over Plymouth in Powell's first game as manager, Charlton sit one place above Dale but a greater gulf in class rates them as decent value at almost 2-1, even if Rochdale top the form table with four wins and two draws from their last half dozen outings. However, only two teams have won fewer home games in the division this season than Rochdale, while Charlton top the away scoring charts by six, having lost just three times in 12 on the road. Powell added the division's top scorer, Bradley Wright-Phillips, to his squad earlier in the week, bolstering a forward line that also features the on-loan Liverpool player Nathan Ecclestone. Charlton's greater squad strength should just about see them home.
Crewe to beat Accrington at evens
It took a spectacular 94th-minute free-kick to upset Crewe last weekend at Aldershot, but they bounced back with a midweek win at home to Bradford and remain in the running for an automatic League Two promotion berth. After a sluggish start to the season, in which they won just two of 11, they have roared up the table, collecting nine wins from 15 and 28 points out of 45. To be at around even-money for the visit of 15th-placed Stanley, who slumped to a 3-1 home defeat by out-of-form Shrewsbury last time out, ranks them as a fair call this weekend.
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 (The full table will be posted in the comments section below) ...
markier 62
PiggyPingoPiglet 54
Bobby142 51
josedinho 48
captainmorganrum 48
Thewalthamstowone 45
TheRealRingo 44
stevegrant 41
horne94 41
SchwarzGelbRedWhite 41
richardw 41
As for this week: make your result (not scoreline) prediction for each of the games below, with one point per correct result. The deadline is 3pm GMT on Saturday.
Crystal Palace v Norwich
Scunthorpe v Preston
Carlisle v Oldham
Rochdale v Charlton
Crewe v Accrington
Oxford v Cheltenham
I'm tipping Norwich, Preston, Oldham, Charlton, Crewe and Oxford. You can also follow me on Twitter at @james_dart if you want more money-losing tips/predictions through the week.
