Last week’s prediction was almost over before it began when the Yeovil vs Plymouth game got cancelled at lunch time. When the half-time whistle blew across the 3 o’clock matches, not one tip had scored; meaning a miracle needed to happen. It did finish with 4/8 teams managing to score, with just one team scoring in four matches in the end. But after midweek success on a BTTS seven-fold, where Jordan Rhodes’ 93rd minute equaliser against MK Dons landed the winner, there’s cause for optimism for this weekend’s tips.
Rotherham vs Birmingham City
With just one point from their last four games, relegation battlers Rotherham must go out to win this vital match. The Millers lost last weekend’s six-pointer against Bolton and sit three points away from safety, but with new manager Neil Warnock announced on Thursday evening they must go out to win in front of their home fans.
Birmingham, meanwhile, are only three points off the play-off places and will fancy their chances against a side who struggle at home. With Rotherham winning 2-0 in the reverse fixture, Birmingham will be looking for revenge and will go out for the win. That earlier win could also give Rotherham confidence to get a goal too, so that’s why they’re a stand out for both teams to score from the Championship.
Peterborough vs Bradford City
After going out of the FA Cup at the hands of West Bromwich Albion on penalties, the Peterborough team could be feeling the aftermath come Saturday afternoon. There’s only three points separating the two sides who will feel their seasons haven’t gone all to plan, so both will be looking to get back into the hunt for the play-offs.
Bradford, who have a game in hand on eighth-place Peterborough, just missed out on the play-offs last year, but a win here would give much-needed confidence to their side. Peterborough, though, will feel as if this is a game where they can spark their play-off push back into life too, so should score themselves.
Portsmouth vs Bristol Rovers
Portsmouth have slipped outside the play-off places over the last few weeks, but find themselves just a point off with two games in hand. Their home game against Bristol Rovers is now a must-win after a loss last week set them back. Pompey too have only failed to score in two matches this year.
Fifth-placed Bristol Rovers lost 2-1 the last time the two sides met, and after last week’s match got postponed against AFC Wimbledon, they will be looking to pounce on a team who have slipped from the top of the table over the season. They’ll know that a Portsmouth win would mean they overtake them in the table too, so shouldn’t be relying on a draw.
Hartlepool vs Yeovil
Down at the other end of League Two is a huge relegation battle. Sitting with just 24 points to their names, Hartlepool and Yeovil are lurking above the relegation zone. But the home side have three games in hand, and that should hopefully mean Yeovil go all out to try to put pressure on new boss Craig Hignett in his first match.
Hartlepool’s form may be bad, but they’ve only failed to score once in all competitions this year, and beat Yeovil 2-1 away from home this season already. Yeovil have scored in every game in 2016 and have only lost one too, so should feel some confidence going in to the six-pointer despite their league position.
Motherwell vs Kilmarnock
Once a challenger to Celtic not so long ago, Motherwell have slipped in and around the relegation zone in the Scottish Premier Football League. Remarkably, the home side have conceded three times in added time in 2016 alone, so Kilmarnock should fancy their chances in this relegation battle.
Kilmarnock sit in 11th place and just two points behind their opponents, so should feel they need to win this to drag them further away from trouble. Motherwell, though, will look at this match as very winnable to get themselves back up the table, so they too should go for the win.
