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Mixed martial arts Early Bird Best Bets: April 22nd-23rd - An Early Look at Four Matches this Weekend
Early Bird Best Bets: April 22nd-23rd
The business end of proceedings is here, and with that, the Early Bird brings you four games with each undoubtedly due to have an impact at on end of their respective divisions.
In this article:
- Barnsley vs Oxford United Preview & Best Bet
- Peterborough vs Ipswich Preview & Best Bet
- Stockport vs Rochdale Preview & Best Bet
- Bournemouth vs West Ham Preview & Best Bet
Barnsley vs Oxford United Preview
England, League One, April 22nd, 15:00 (UK)
The danger of dropping to League Two still looms precariously over Oxford United’s head. As the club attempts to acclimatise to life without Karl Robinson, four draws from seven suggest things may be moving in the right direction, though it’s victories on the board which United have to start producing.
Only Forest Green (6) and Morecambe (8) have won fewer games than Oxford (9). Putting the ball in the back of the net is the main issue right now, with only two goals scored in their recent five fixtures. In the weekend’s loss to Bolton, Oxford laid on 24 attempts at goal to Wanderers’ four but just couldn’t make the net rustle.
It’s Pompey’s turn to take on Oxford next, before Barnsley away – potentially the most challenging task in League One right now – fills Oxford’s weekend schedule.
Barnsley vs Oxford United Best Bet
You’d fancy Barnsley to get on the scoresheet at Oakwell. Not only did they just hit five away to Forest Green, but the last five at home have produced some head-turning scores against decent opposition: 2-1 vs Shrewsbury, 5-0 vs Morecambe, 4-2 vs Sheffield Wednesday, 3-0 vs Plymouth Argyle, 3- vs Portsmouth, and 4-1 against Derby County.
Let’s assume Barnsley register on the scoresheet more than once on Saturday. Can you see Oxford matching that on the road? I can’t.
- Selection: Barnsley to Win (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.75 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 10/10
More Barnsley vs Oxford United Tips
Peterborough vs Ipswich Preview
England, League One, April 22nd, 15:00 (UK)
The much-coveted three points forged in the Cambridgeshire derby ended in the grasp of the strugglers. Promotion-chasing Posh fell to a 2-0 deafest against Cambridge United. And it was deserved – very few, if any, in that Posh dressing room would have felt content with their own performance. Second best all over the park.
But that’s done now; the bragging rights within Cambridgeshire will settle with Mark Bonner’s side for the time being. One thing is for sure; serve up a performance anywhere close to what the travelling Posh fans endured on the weekend, and Ipswich will run out comfortable winners.
We’ve got a full EFL schedule midweek, with Posh heading to another side fighting for their lives in Accrington. Ipswich? They host Port Vale, who welcomed the week in by sacking Darrell Clarke – a decision that’ll bring as many questions as it does answers for Vale.
I expect we will see a response from Posh, though the weekend’s offering is going to be an uphill battle as Kieran McKenna’s men seek to make it 15 games unbeaten (winning ten). In terms of responses, the Tractor Boys’ six goals against Charlton was exactly how it’s done following their disappointment at not being able to get a win over the line against Cheltenham before.
Peterborough vs Ipswich Best Bet
With the draw providing a level of protection and League One’s best unable to prize three points from Ipswich for months now, perhaps siding with the away side makes sense here at 1.93.
I’d be shocked if Ipswich lost the contest, and at that price, it’s a position worth taking despite Peterborough’s good form and ability to score goals in this division.
- Selection: Ipswich -0.25 Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.93 (bet365)
- Stakes: 10/10
More Peterborough vs Ipswich Tips
Stockport vs Rochdale Preview
England, League Two, April 22nd, 15:00 (UK)
The writing is very much on the wall for Rochdale. Bar a miraculous turn of events; the National League will be home to the Dale from next season. The 0-3 loss at home to Bradford isn’t quite the nail in the coffin just yet, but languishing eight points from safety with four games left is as perilous as it gets.
On the other hand, Stockport remains in the hunt for automatic promotion. Honours even in Gillingham places additional focus on Stockport’s week. Beat fellow promotion rivals Carlisle and despatch Rochdale, and all may be forgiven for dropping points depending on results elsewhere.
Stockport vs Rochdale Best Bet
Given the quality donning Stockport’s squad, plus the frequency with which they conceded goals at home, this could be one County run away with.
Only Leyton Orient (13) have conceded fewer goals than Stockport (15) at home this term – a statistic which doesn’t shine so favourably on Rochdale, who have managed just 16 goals (22nd worst record in L2) away from home this campaign.
- Selection: Stockport -1 Asian Handicap
- Best Odds: 1.75 (bet365)
- Stakes: 10/10
More Stockport vs Rochdale Tips
Bournemouth vs West Ham Preview
England, Premier League, April 23rd, 14:00 (UK)
Gary O’Neil has his Cherries purring ahead of West Ham’s short trip south to Bournemouth.
A win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the winner arriving late in the game will have equipped Sunday’s home side with the additional belief that Premier League football is not only something they can cling onto this season but something they can navigate with their chests puffed out week by week.
Spurs looked threatening throughout on the weekend, as one would have expected, though the visitors carried a belief in forward areas that made them really difficult to deal with, especially in transition. A 95th-minute Dango Outtarra goal outlines the character of this Bournemouth side at present.
Spurs’ north London rivals, Arsenal, were dealt a blow by The Hammers on the weekend. Will that be enough to ignite West Ham into life on the run-in? Maybe. Yet, there’s a fixture in Europe to contend with first against Gent.
Bournemouth vs West Ham Best Bet
Considering home advantage, what they displayed against Spurs, and West Ham facing what may be a tough 90-120 minutes on Thursday evening, getting Bournemouth on a plus handicap is the way to go.
I’m not sure Bournemouth should be 2.90 outsiders here, a price that should see a bit of movement between now and Sunday.
- Selection: Bournemouth +0.25 Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.73 (bet365)
- Stakes: 10/10
Best odds available as at 12:00, April 17th, 2022. Odds may now differ.
More Bournemouth vs West Ham Tips
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