Tuesday, March 20, 2012

TUESDAY NOTES ......


TUESDAY MARCH 20TH

EPL : BLACKBURN ROVERS - SUNDERLAND

Surely a fantastic time for Rovers to be facing Martin O'Neill's side, the hosts had a free weekend and were doubtless sat at home watching the Black Cats battle for a draw at Goodison Park at lunchtime on Saturday, Everton were on the front foot for most of the second half and Sunderland expended a lot of energy trying to hang on to what they had. MON is not a man to simply give up on games, but given their secure position in the EPL, the FA Cup replay will surely dominate their thoughts for the next week or so and any "extra" effort this week will probably be saved for their home game at the weekend, when QPR visit the Stadium of Light. Even if this line of thought did not tie in with MON's thinking, he is likely to be short of key options this evening with Sessegnon and Cattermole suspended and a couple of others, including the hugely influential Bardsley having picked up knocks. I do not know how much they have left in their tank, but this will be their 16th start of 2012 and they have what must surely be viewed as two more important games in the next seven days.

Very different situation at Blackburn, they have not played for ten days since a big confidence boosting win at Wolves and this is just their 11th outing of the New Year. Boss Steve Kean has a fully fit squad with the exception of Vincve Grella to pick from and three points this evening would enable them to pull six points clear of the drop zone, ahead of their derby "six pointer" with Bolton Wanderers at the weekend. That is a situation they could only have dreamed of a few weeeks ago and if things go their way in the next couple of days, they could virtually ensure survival by Saturday evening.

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Lowe, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Formica, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Marcus Olsson, Hoilett, Yakubu, Bunn, Givet, Dunn, Modeste, Petrovic, Orr, Rochina, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Henley.

1.5 units Blackburn Rovers -0.25 ball 2.07 asian line.

LEAGUE 1 : MK DONS- LEYTON ORIENT

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LEAGUE 2 : ROTHERHAM UNITED - MACCLESFIELD TOWN

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LEAGUE 2 : GILLINGHAM - CRAWLEY TOWN

Hard not to see goals in this game between two of the top three scorers in League 1. Both have started to make a habit of conceding too freely also and their last ten starts have averaged 3.9 and 3.0 goals respectively, the Gills last three home games have produced plenty of thrills and gnashing of teeth for supporters with scorelines of 3-4, 3-1 and 5-4, Town have scored and conceded at least two goals in each of their last three starts.

The hosts are just outside the playoff places and now have Crewe breathing down their neck, they have to look for three points and it is a similar case for Crawley who are letting a gap start to built between them and the top three, they still have a game or two in hand, but need to refind some consistency and win a couple of games in a row. They had to twice come from behind to see off troubled Port Vale 3-2 at the weeeknd, but did have 30 attempts on goal (20 on target), however, that was their first win in nine and they need to build on that. Striker Gary Alexander who was recently signed from Brentford, has scored three in two starts and with Billy Clarke alongside him,they have a pair of proven lower league strikers and one in Alexander who is eager to impress and who has been scoring freely at a higher level this season.

Gills are coming off a thumping 3-0 win and impressive performance at highflying Cheltenham and are another side who clearly know where the goal is. Both teams are missing defenders and with each having an attack is the best form of defence policy in any case, another shootout is on the cards.1.75 points"Over" 2.75 goals 1.99 asian line.

Good Luck.

CONTACT : gowi8@btinternet.com

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