
Ian Atkins' Oxford look fair value (Getty Images)
HOME COMFORTS CAN BENEFIT SWANS
By Tom Millard
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Betting Box Tipping Guide
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BETTING BOX
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FIXED ODDS
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1pt double Oxford and Swansea at 4/1 (Hills) |
Both sides look decent value at home. |
The highlight of Tuesday's domestic coupon is the FA Cup fourth round replay between Leeds and Gillingham at Elland Road.
Leeds' off-pitch troubles over the past few weeks have been well-documented but they performed respectably in losing to Everton at Goodison on Saturday.
Gillingham themselves were thrashed 3-0 at hopelessly out-of-form Preston so it would be easy to conclude that they had one eye on this clash.
That was the Gills' first defeat since November, including the original fixture between the two sides last month which Andy Hessenthaler's men so nearly won at the death after being a goal behind throughout much of the second half.
The home side are a predictable 2/5 for this match, with the Gills as long as 7/1.
In Nationwide One, Wimbledon look fair at odds approaching 2/1 at struggling Brighton.
The Seagulls are rooted to the foot of the table and it apears their over-reliance on prolific striker Bobby Zamora has been uncovered this season.
Incredibly, the Dons have scored three or more times in six of their last 13 league games, and have scored five goals in away games twice in Nationwide One.
They look to have too much for Brighton, but punters should be aware that by all accounts they were unlucky to lose to Walsall on Saturday.
Dropping down a division, Tranmere are worthy favourites to beat a Cheltenham side who have only managed ten goals at home all season.
The bottom side haven't won since early December, although they managed to stop high-flying Wigan from finding the net at the weekend.
Tranmere, so often frustratingly inconsistent from a punting point of view, have lost in the league only once since November but are still drawing too many games to be considered promotion contenders.
Despite lying only one place off the play-offs, their negative goal difference suggests this game will not be a straightforward affair.
In the third, promotion hopefuls Oxford look to close the gap on rivals Rushden & Diamonds by beating Wrexham.
The Us are tempting at evens given their form so far in 2003, but it is worth pointing out that no side in the division has lost fewer away matches than Wrexham - they have only suffered defeat twice on their travels.
Try doubling Oxford with improving Swansea, who take on Darlington at home.
Two games undefeated is not normally a reason to jump in two-footed on a side propping up the rest of the league, but those games included a comfortable win against a useful Lincoln outfit and promotion-chasing Rushden.
Darlington will not fancy the long trip to South Wales and indeed if the game goes ahead, Swansea look fair value at 6/4 to continue their recent revival.
Preview posted at 2100GMT on 03/02/2003.
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