League One - Good Friday

We’ve been cautious of opposing Rochdale in recent weeks, and the market also respects them strongly despite a really poor position in the table.

Of course, they have as many as three games in hand on some of their relegation rivals, but they will need to start banking those points quickly if they are to get out of the mire. The poor run which sees them in this predicament was partly due to the exertions in the cup, which have taken their toll, but it’s hard to imagine them coming out of all that completely unscathed and kicking on now the ground is clear in front of them.

They have won just twice in all competitions in their last 11, and the layers make them favourites against Shrewsbury – a side who have collected 23 pts from a possible 30 over their last ten matches and are also unbeaten in six away ties, including tough trips to Scunthorpe, Charlton and Bristol Rovers. Should they really be available at 21/10? I’m not so sure.

1pt Shrewsbury to beat Rochdale at 21/10

Plymouth entertain Southend on Friday and make it back onto the bet list despite the Shrimpers’ good form.

The Pilgrims are quite simply unstoppable at home right now, winning nine from ten at Home Park – with Wigan being the only side to stop the juggernaut. Given that home record, it’s easy to forgive the Plymouth defeat at Charlton last weekend – it was only their second reversal since 2nd December – a run of 18 matches.

Southend have been rumbling along nicely themselves, with just one defeat in 10 now, but things have been a little tougher on the road than they have at home – their recent record away reading DDDWLLLLLDLL – just one win in 12. Most recently, those three draws have come at Blockpool, Rochdale and Bury, so shouldn’t be considered to be a corner turned really.

2pts Plymouth to beat Southend at 8/5

#Football