
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]
Written by Cornermanden. The author’s opinions and predictions are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Unibet. Odds and details may change between the time of writing and when placing a bet – always check before betting.
A heavily amputated League One round 18 to come later today. Only two games are on the menu, so hopefully I can follow up the good results from last weekend by doing something similar this time around.
A Hard One To Call
Stevenage v Lincoln City
Steve Evans’ Stevenage have been the most impressive feat of League One this season, but it doesn’t come as a massive surprise.
We’ve previously seen really strong League Two teams get promoted and be competitive and challenge at the top-end of the table right away. It also works the other way around: Rochdale were relegated back-to-back after the 2020/21 season, and Forest Green (who were relegated from League One in May) are now struggling at the wrong end of the division below.
Steve Evans’ effect on Stevenage cannot be underestimated. He came into a team that fighted against relegation in League Two, bought a bunch of players, and immediately made them strong and a promotion candidate. Now they are in League One, and currently sit 5th after 16 games. It’s mightily impressive, more so because of the way they play a long ball game.
The thing that makes this a very hard game to predict is the freshest Lincoln City news. After Mark Kennedy was sacked from his head coach position a month or so ago, the City board have taken their time on finding the correct replacement. This week they appointed Michael Skubala, who will enter his first stint as a first team manager at senior level. It’s almost impossible to tell what kind of football he wants his team to play, and he clearly didn’t give much away in the pre-match interview either.
This is a game I’m not taking any bets in.
Favourites For A Reason
Blackpool v Shrewsbury Town
I really fancy Blackpool to finish the season in the top 6, but it won’t be an easy task. Coming up against a team that I predicted in the relegation zone – at home as well – should be a game that they’re looking to win.
League One is a tight league, and although the gulf in quality is quite big, a lot of games are more even than the teams’ wage and transfer fee budgets would lead you to believe. However, I think that sometimes punters – myself included – can overthink things and make it more complicated than it needs to be. I guess this is the game where I’ll rather underthink it than the opposite.
The statistics are stark for Matty Taylor and his Shrewsbury Town. They are yet to score a goal against a team in top 14 – across nine games! The situation at the Shropshire club is not alarming, but it is clear for everyone to see that they lack a bit of the spark and tenacity that they were well-known for under Steve Cotterill’s leadership last season.
Blackpool are getting players back from injury – including the most pricy player of anyone in League One during the summer window, Kyle Joseph – and should be stronger as the campaign goes on.
Blackpool to win at 1.58 is a good price, I think, although it’s a bit lower than I really want it to be for me to take it as a single. Instead, I’m opting for a cheeky little Bet Builder, combining three selections:
- Blackpool to win
- Shrewsbury under 0.5 goals
- Under 4.5 goals in the game
The price is 2.63. In other words, we need one of the following results for it to be a winner: 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0. I think there’s a good chance of it happening in this League One round 18.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][nectar_btn size=”medium” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” text=”See all League One odds” url=”https://www.unibet.com/betting/sports/filter/football/england/league_one?lobby=blog&promo=l1.18.11.23″ css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][/vc_row]