Crewe Alexandra have drawn seven out of their last eight league games and today they take on a side whose form is hard to predict. Southend entertain Crewe in their League Two home fixture having won four and drawn once in their last eight league games stretching back to late August.
Dario Gradi’s young Crewe side have drawn their last two league games 3-3 and 5-5 against high flying Torquay United and Chesterfield. Goals markets must be running scared of Gradi’s mid table Cheshire side. Crewe’s 11 league games this term have produced 42 goals with a goal difference of plus eight to Gradi’s team but I’m keeping away from the goals market for this one. Southend’s aggregate goals of 28 from 11 games puts me off, that’s less than three goals per league game.
Crewe start this afternoon’s game one point and one place behind Southend and I fancy them to come away from Roots Hall with three points and their current nine game league and cup unbeaten run still intact. Crewe have a good developing young side who despite their youth now have promising players with two or three league seasons behind them. Dario Gradi MBE has also added experience this term with the signings of David Artell and former Alex midfielder Lee Bell. Bet 365′s 12/5 on a Crewe victory looks an excellent bet.
Manchester United entertain West Brom at Old Trafford as the Premier League returns to action after last weekend’s international break. Despite boss Alex Ferguson and striker Wayne Rooney’s well publicised falling out, I’m predicting the Red Devils to be too strong for Roberto Di Matteo’s top tier newcomers. West Brom were away conquerors at Arsenal just a few weeks ago but this game is my Saturday football betting tips home banker and I can’t see Ferguson’s boys slipping up. Bet365′s price of 1/4 is hardly outstanding value but adds strength to todays football fixed odds treble.
Newcastle United play Wigan Athletic at St James Park with both teams lying in the lower reaches of the Premier League. The winner of this one would get a major boost to their league campaign and Wigan’s goal difference of minus nine, added to Newcastle’s home advantage, leaves me little choice but to back the Toon to take all three points.
Today’s Saturday treble returns a massive 22.03 points for a three points stake.
Saturday 16th October
Crewe (12/5), Manchester United (1/4) and Newcastle (8/11) to win
3 points treble
Southend 0 Crewe 2
Man Utd 2 West Brom 2
Newcastle 2 Wigan 2
Another losing Saturday treble, there’s always next week.