Big Saturday Multiple: North End to take advantage of Swindon confusion

23Feb 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner picks three domestic sides to make up his Big Saturday Multiple - at whopping odds of 19.75.

We're off to Boundary Park for our first pick of this three team multiple - and Oldham Athletic welcome Portsmouth to the North West, looking to put some space between themselves and the relegation places.

Caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk has overseen something of a resurgence in the home camp since he took over from Paul Dickov - and back to back league wins have lifted the Latics out of the drop zone.

The Oldham boss shuffled his pack following a 2-2 draw with Everton, but his side still looked impressive in a 2-1 win at Stevenage on Tuesday - and I think that even with that FA Cup replay looming next week, the hosts will have their eyes focused firmly on this crucial tie.

And 11 goals scored in their last five suggests that the likes of Matt Smith and Chris Iwelumo will be full of confidence in the final third this afternoon.

Portsmouth go into this clash sitting bottom of League One, and confidence will be low on the South Coast following 21 games without a win.

That miserable run stretches all the way back to mid-October - and just one goal scored in their last five on the road suggests that the Latics defence should be able to hold out their attacking threat here.

Pompey haven't secured three points away from Fratton Park since the 2nd of October, and now sit a whopping 10 points away from safety - a margin which could be extended further if they fail to secure a result in Greater Manchester.

Guy Whittingham's woes were added to this week with the news that defender Shaun Cooper will be missing for around a fortnight - and I think that Oldham's recent momentum will see them secure three points on their own patch here.

Bet 1: Oldham Athletic @ 1.66

Staying in League One for our second selection, and Swindon Town welcome Preston North End to the County Ground, amid a turbulent few days for the Robins.

The hosts have been going great guns this season, and sit top of the table ahead of this one, but boss Paolo Di Canio has walked out following failed negotiations with the new owners.

Incredibly, his whole backroom staff has since followed him out of the County Ground, and so it is left to senior pros Darren Ward and Tommy Miller to pick the side for this afternoon's clash with PNE.

Swindon's blistering form this season has been no secret, but the Robins have only won three of their last seven - drawing the others - and that suggests that they may not be the formidable outfit they were.

A 1-1 draw with struggling Hartlepool in their last outing on their own patch is further evidence that the home side are susceptible to underperforming, and after a crazy week it will be interesting to see how they respond in a tough clash.

Preston North End will be full of confidence following a 2-0 home win against another top side - AFC Bournemouth - last week, and new boss Simon Grayson takes control of the Whites for the first time this afternoon.

The Lancashire side sit 17th in the table, but so tight is this division that two or three wins could see them climb the league considerably, and all of the players will be desperate to stake their claim for a regular place in front of their new boss.

The concept of 'new manager syndrome' is one often mooted immediately after an appointment - and whether you believe there's anything in it or not, it certainly offers a lift and a bit of momentum.

And Grayson looks set to welcome back influential midfielder John Mousinho, who has something to prove following an injury-ravaged first season at Deepdale.

There's no denying that Swindon are flying - but I think that Preston are cracking odds for the win in this game at 6.5, and I'm backing the away side to take a shock three points in the circumstances.

Bet 2: Preston North End @ 6.5

Switching our attentions to the Midlands now - as Coventry City face Crewe Alexandra for the third time in two weeks, and the visitors boss Steve Davis has already mooted that he is looking to chop and change his side for this clash.

The Alex boss saw his charges defeat their hosts over two legs in the Football League Trophy, and is wary that nine games in three weeks threatens to derail his sides campaign.

Hotshot forward Ajay Leitch-Smith is set to be left out of the side this afternoon, and that will be a big miss for the Staffordshire side, who are now without a win in three.

Just one clean sheet away from Gresty Road since early November suggests that the away defence may have their work cut out to keep out Coventry, and the home side will be desperate to build on their 2-0 win at their guests in midweek.

Home caretaker boss Lee Carsley will be looking for his side to take revenge after being denied a trip to Wembley in that tie, and Coventry go into this one undefeated in six of their last eight.

Two wins on the bounce will have the hosts full of confidence in this clash, and three points would lift them even closer to the play-off positions which they so crave.

And five unbeaten from their last seven home league outings suggests that City are in good enough form to mount a real challenge for the top seven, with around a third of the season remaining.

Bet 3: Coventry @ 1.83