SATURDAY..... three games, basic notes......... on a recovery mission

CHAMPIONSHIP
DERBY COUNTY- DONCASTER ROVERS

Derby have made defensive duties a priority recently and have not conceded in their last two starts. Donny arrive with four clean sheets in five starts and are a team that like to keep possession and make it difficult for their opponents to break them down. At this time of year last season, Rovers recorded nine consecutive" unders", with six clean sheets and eight containing one or fewer goals, the nine starts averging just 0.78 goals.County might be expected to adopt a more adventurous approach in front of their own fans, but I do not think so, with both first choice centre backs missing, they will surely be looking to give the backline as much protection as possible. Think we will see a caution first approach from both today and another low scoring encounter. Last season's game here ended 0-1 with few real clear cut chances.

6 points "under" 2.25 goals 2.02 asian line.

DIVISION 1
EXETER CITY - SOUTHEND

I like Southend, they are at least a top 8 team in my opinion and played really well in several games recently, without any luck at all.It looked like more of the same recently, when, after dominating and missing a number of chances, they went 2-0 down to Hartlepool last time out, having not scored in 319 minutes things looked very bleak indeed. However, they kept playing really nice football, found one goal, then a second and a third and in the end, could have even added one or two more. That win has really restore confidence and sitting just eight points off the playoffs a big run in early 2010 is on the cards.The board dug deep and allowed the team to make the long journey west yesterday, so they will be fully fresh today , meeting a City side who have lost three in a row, without scoring and who play a footballing style, which will suit the visitors, who are capable of out passing most teams at this level.

7.5 points Southend +1/4 ball 1.80 asian line .

SWINDON TOWN- BRIGHTON

Player for player, I do not see too much between these two sides. In three away starts under Gus Poyet, Brighton have won at Exeter and Southampton, playing very well in the latter and got thumped at Norwich, when they simply didn't show up. They have had a very tough sequence of games recently, with Leeds, Charlton and Colchester the last three visitors to the Withdean and they will welcome an "easier" run of games over the holiday season. They outplayed Colchester for the last hour , after conceding two early goals, but could not find an equaliser last time out and will probably be better suited by facing Town, than the pure "up and at em" style of the U's, who in purely physical terms, are probably the biggest side in Ligue 1. Early goals have been a recurring theme in recent losses, if they can address this problem and keep things tight for 15-20 minutes, they can get a result here.Hosts can hardly be considered prolific in front of goal, only three times scoring twice in 11 home starts, averaging 1.18 goals per start.

6 points Brighton +1/2 ball 1.88 asian line.

Good Luck.