Betting values for this weekend’s big games

Derby v Birmingham

Despite being pretty much assured of a mid-table finish, Birmingham will travel to Derby on Saturday confident of emerging from the iPro with the three points against a wobbling Rams side.

Losing 2-0 in quick succession, away to Fulham and then Brighton, Steve McClaren’s side have hardly been at their free-flowing best of late. However, the Rams have won four of last five league games at home and, as such, appear good value to eek out a result here with a one goal winning margin at 51/20.

Ipswich v Brentford

Vying for a play-off spot, Ipswich welcome Brentford to Portman Road on Saturday knowing that only a win would be enough to see them leapfrog their high-flying opponents into sixth place.

Brentford however, will arrive knowing that – if other results go their way – they could end the end day in fourth if they manage to secure the three points. With so much on line, a close game is expected here despite the six-goal thriller we saw last time out.

The 31/25 available on a home win is tempting in addition to the 4/5 on offer for goals in both halves.

Crawley v Bristol

League One leaders Bristol take on a Crawley side mired in a relegation battle on Saturday as they look to add to their 10-point lead over second placed Preston.

Wins over Preston, Barnsley and Swindon have kept Crawley in touch with those around them, but this should be a test too far, despite the advantage of playing at home – Bristol are 13/20 to get the win here.

Crawley haven’t kept a clean sheet since last year (a goalless draw with Colchester) so the 39/5 on offer the visitors to win by three is tempting, alongside the 2/1 available for a Bristol win to nil.

MK Dons v Preston.

With Bristol scarpering off into the distance, the battle for second-place is still very much up for grabs as Preston travel to Stadium:mk over the weekend.

Separated by only a point, both teams will be aware that a draw could see Swindon overtake them both – provided they beat Notts County – so we’d expect this to be a lively affair.

However, the last five meetings between the two have all ended in draws and the 49/20 available on yet another one here seems a plausible outcome – in addition to both teams to score at 19/25.

Southend v Wycombe

Five points separate these two – a luxury that ensures that even if Wycombe lose, they cannot be overtaken by their opponents or any of their promotion chasing rivals.

Such an outcome here seems unlikely though, especially as the visitors are unbeaten in their last three outings while also winning away from home twice.

Southend however will be keen to avenge their heavy December loss and it’s worth noting that they haven’t lost at home to the Chairboys since September 2004. With most expecting a close affair over the weekend, the 47/20 on offer for a draw – or the under 2 total goals market offers value at 11/10.

Stevenage v Newport

Unbeaten in their last five games, Stevenage will head into their match against Newport in fine form on Saturday.

The same cannot be said of the visitors however, who arrive with only two wins from their last nine outings and, as such, the 11/8 on offer for a home win deserves consideration here. Similarly however, the 9/4 available on an away win is equally as enticing.

Find more Football League odds at Marathonbet.co.uk