AFC Wimbledon v Ipswich Town
🏟
Tuesday 25th January – 7:45PM KO
AFC Wimbledon have steadied the ship in recent weeks with three consecutive draws.
Mark Robinson’s side have conceded just one goal in those league games, which speaks to a sturdy centre-back pairing forged by Ben Heneghan and Will Nightingale. Heneghan and Nightingale are two experienced figures whom the youthful Dons must now rely on, especially with doubts over the fitness of midfielder Alex Woodyard.
The Londoners would be delighted with another point, therefore, against a rejuvenated Ipswich side, who have won three of their four games under Kieran McKenna. The former Manchester United coach has already implemented his ideas very nicely, with clear passages of play and rotations of movement taking shape early on.
To beat Accrington Stanley 2-1 last time out, the Suffolk outfit had to come from behind, something they rarely achieved under Paul Cook or Paul Lambert.
Whether this is McKenna’s superior tactical nous or coaching acumen, whether it’s a different spirit around the club or simply coincidence, this Tractor Boys side have shown fight as well as fluency.
Ipswich will believe they can cut the eight-point gap to the Play-Offs: victory in the capital would be another forward step.
⚽
Prediction: Ipswich to Win, 2.3 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Burton Albion v MK Dons
🏟
Tuesday 25th January – 7:45PM KO
Any hopes MK Dons might have had of challenging for a top two berth this season have likely dissipated, after a 1-0 home defeat to Doncaster.
Had Liam Manning’s side won that one, and been able to turn the goalless draw with Gillingham into another victory, they would be seriously in the mix, but they have an issue breaking down deep blocks. That is surprising, given that over the last three seasons, the team has been built with a possession-heavy identity firmly in mind.
The assumption would be, therefore, that MK should enjoy facing defensive opposition because it allows them to settle into their natural game, but instead they have found themselves run out of ideas.
We could see a higher-scoring encounter, therefore, on their trip to Burton, who are a side that likes to press aggressively and attack quickly in transition.
On the one hand, the Play-Off chasers will have more opportunities to feed the attacking quartet of Theo Corbeanu, Troy Parrott, Scott Twine and Mo Eisa, which could be deadly.
On the other hand, the patient philosophy of the visitors means the Brewers will have ample opportunity to get athletic strikers Daniel Jebbison and Gassan Ahadme chasing down the ball in the final third in hope of swiftly exploiting the turnovers.
In each of their previous seven games in all competitions, Burton have been involved in a game in which both teams scored: the odds of a repeat hold appeal.
⚽
Prediction: Both Teams to Score, 1.65 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Fleetwood Town v Plymouth Argyle
🏟
Tuesday 25th January – 7:45PM KO
Argyle have been unable to build on December’s back-to-back league wins over Charlton and Cheltenham, losing successive encounters with Sheffield Wednesday and Lincoln.
Boss Steven Schumacher, though, stayed positive after a 2-1 home defeat to the Imps, citing the chances his side created and a promising home debut from on-loan Huddersfield defender Romoney Crichlow.
Nonetheless, it feels like a rebuilding period for the Devoners, who venture north in hope of bouncing back at Fleetwood.
The hosts, though, are not exactly playing like prime relegation candidates, having boosted their survival chances by taking 13 points from eight games under Stephen Crainey.
The Trawlermen were unable to secure a third victory in succession last time out, losing 2-0 at Charlton, but at least Cian Hayes could make an impression.
The Ireland Under-19s international produced a lively first half display at the Valley and the wide forward appears to be thriving under Crainey, having worked with the former Blackpool defender in the academy.
Hayes is a fabulous ball-carrier, he loves to put a challenge in and brings a youthful exuberance to the Fylde coast outfit, who look good value to avoid defeat on Tuesday.
⚽
Prediction: Fleetwood Double Chance, 1.62 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Gillingham v Shrewsbury Town
🏟
Tuesday 25th January – 7:45PM KO
Gillingham are now 10 points adrift of safety in League One, after a 3-2 loss at Wigan last time out.
Steve Lovell’s strugglers showed admirable courage to fight back from a two-goal deficit in the second half in West Lancashire to draw level against the high-flyers, but they ultimately suffered a defeat that leaves them winless in 15.
Bromley boss Andy Woodman has distanced himself from the Gills job, so it seems likely that Steve Lovell – who did a reasonable job in his first stint at Priestfield – will finish the season in charge and potentially earn the chance to start the next at the helm.
The Gills have produced improved performances in the two games Lovell has taken charge of, benefiting perhaps from recent returns to fitness from midfield dynamo Kyle Dempsey and target man Vadaine Oliver. Either of those players, with the right ones around them, could have been part of a Play-Off push at this level, so their returns certainly make a difference.
Even after being so unlucky to lose to Bolton last time out, Shrewsbury must be careful not to underestimate their hosts.
Steve Cotterill’s side have scored just one goal and conceded one in their last four league games, which shows they have relied on defensive resilience in recent weeks.
Sitting three points above the drop zone, Salop have some work to do, themselves, to secure another season in League One.
⚽
Prediction: Gillingham Double Chance, 1.57 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Written by an Andy verified content writer
18+ please gamble responsibly.
Back the Four and Five Star Selections as an Accumulator on Betfair ⬇️
🧾
Load the bet slip @ 9.69 on Betfair
*Bet link only appears when accessing from mobile.
Haven’t got a Betfair account? You’re in luck…
Sign up to Betfair and get a full refund if your first bet loses. Grab an account through the offer below and place £20 on the 17/2 League One Best Bets Accumulator. Here are the two possible outcomes:
✅
You win £193 cash if it wins
🔄
Or you get your £20 stake back as cash
