Championship
Fixture: Coventry 0-0 Preston
Venue: Ricoh Arena (Coventry home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: After a decent start Coventry are now playing a little more to pre-season expectations, which weren't very high at all. They put in an above expectation performance against Newcastle in the Carling Cup at the end of last month, but there has been scant joy at the Ricoh Arena since. They are still waiting on a groin strain for new signing Freddie Eastwood and talismanic Jay Tabb is set to miss this game, too. It has been an age since their last game a defeat at home to Doncaster, but they have had internationals away on duty. Most notable was Michael Mifsud whose absence may even prove advantageous because the Maltese paceman is said to be extremely toxic in the dressing room. Preston have been busy in the transfer market, targeting strikers as they look to push on into at least a play-off spot again. Jon Parkin, brought in from Stoke, will fit in well, while Stephen Elliott might be more of a bit-part player. Preston sit in second place after an unbeaten start to the season, which has included some notable away wins particularly against Ipswich who lost just once at home last season. Coming from behind at Charlton last time out also told a story of a team good enough to compete against anyone this season.
Betting Advice: 1pt Preston win at 2/1 (3 at Bet365, BlueSquare, CanBet and 888sport)
Fixture: Charlton 1-3 Wolves
Venue: The Valley (Charlton home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: I'm still backing Wolves to go great guns this season, and believe that this is an opportunity to bag some value having said that, we are not going to pile on. Mick McCarthy's side have been there or thereabouts in the last few seasons, but lacked a good start to the season. They have that now, they are top, and are on tip-top form scoring at least two in every game this season and banging in four goals and five goals already this season. Charlton are struggling with a lack of money and need to rebuild in what is always a tricky second season down in the Championship, This will be another tough afternoon for them, against a side on the way up. Which hurts when you're on the way down.
Betting Advice: 2pts Wolves to win at 15/8 (2.25 at Skybet)
League One
Fixture: Leicester 0-1 Millwall
Venue: Walkers Stadium (Leicester home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: All the talk was about Leeds as champions-elect at the beginning of the season, but Leicester are a bigger team than Leeds and are making their mark all over this league. Here is another opportunity to push up into the top two. It's worth noting they would be top if they win their game in hand. Millwall are far too leaky this season and, not unsurprisingly for anyone who has watched Millwall for a number of years, have discipline problems.
Betting Advice: 4pts Leicester win at 8/13 (1.61538 at generally)
Fixture: Oldham 2-0 MK Dons
Venue: Boundary Park (Oldham home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: Oldham are a wonderfully tight unit who are in danger of living up to the smart money's expectations for a change and finally going up. They have flattered to deceive in the last few seasons, but the squad is strong, no injuries to report and have a huge belief in themselves. It won't be easy against MK Dons, who are capable of claiming a few scalps in their first season in League One but not this one.
Betting Advice: 2pts Oldham to win at Evens (2.0 at Blue Square and 888sport)
League Two
Fixture: Bradford 4-1 Exeter
Venue: Valley Parade (Bradford home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: It appears that Bradford have finally hit their bottom and are back on the way up it's a shame the same can't be said for the global economy. My spies in Bradford tell me that the biggest grumble at Valley Parade is that there appears to be less and less to grumble about a favourite pastime in that neck of the woods. There was a little wobble for Stuart McCall's men when a stunning late strike cut off their 100 per cent record and that was followed by a derby day defeat to Leeds in the Mickey Mouse trophy. But a win at Port Vale put the City Gents back on track. Exeter have equipped themselves reasonably well so far, but this is one of the big teams in the league and a long, long trip up north.
Betting Advice: 3pts Bradford to win at 8/11 (1.72 at Bet365, Skybet and Coral)
Fixture: Dagenham & Redbridge 3-0 Chesterfield
Venue: Victoria Road (Daggers home)
Kick-off: 3pm BST
Verdict: Chesterfield may be ninth in the league just four points off the top, but it is a false position. The same cannot be said for the Daggers fourth place. Chesterfield's three wins have been against much lesser out of form opposition: Barnet have been useless so far this season, and they have also beaten money-wracked Rotherham (who, to be fair, have started well) and poor Grimsby. The Daggers also have a win against Barnet to their name, and took a narrow defeat at Brentford last time out, but have flourished this season and look live promotion candidates.
Betting Advice: 4pts Dagenham & Redbridge to win at 6/4 (2.5 at Bet365, Skybet and extrabet)
