A quick "heads up" that clubgowi is going to celebrate a birthday next week, it will be 11 years since the first post on the Gambling and Other Wholesome Interests (GOWI) blog, that was way back on March 31st 2006.
That is a lifetime in terms of sports betting blogs/websites and we will look to mark the occasion in some way, so make sure you check back on a regular basis before the end of the month.
League 1: Oxford United-Bolton Wanderers
I previewed Bolton's last away start, a trip to Gillingham, where I spoke about the hosts much improved form and Wanderers need for the points and goals, but defensive vulnerability ..............
Gillingham were our L1 team last season, but ran out of steam late, their squad broke up in the summer and this campaign has been very disappointing and they finally ran out of patience and changed head coach at the turn of the year. It took the new boss 7 weeks to get his first win and turn things around, the Gills were only two points above the drop zone then, but have a seven point advantage now and eight clubs below them, they have taken ten points from their last five starts and have refound their goal touch, if not defensive prowess, with both teams scoring in Gillingham's last eleven games, with the most recent six, going "over". Adrian Pennock has got them playing to their strengths and that is not on the back foot.
Bolton are the most likely challenger to Sheffield United in terms of winning League 1, they currently trail by 9 points but with a game in hand, they will be buoyed by a fantastic 4-2 win away to second placed Fleetwood Town on Saturday and will surely not make the trip South with anything other than another maximum return in mind. Wanderers have conceded in their last 7 away games, including two in 5 of their last six and this match looks certain to produce goals.
We did get goals, four of them, but all for Bolton ! However, they needed to come from behind to beat Northampton Town at home over the weekend and their defensive issues remain. A road win tonight would see them open up a four point buffer over Fleetwood in third and firmly on track to return to the championship at the first attempt. However, a win would also take Oxford to within two points of the playoffs and this is a team with a winning mentality now, having earned promotion last season, had a great FA Cup run this season and having alreday made the EFL final at Wembley. After a slow start and adjustment to life at the lower level they have collected 1.8 points pg from their last 20 starts, which equates to third place form and there should definitely be goals in this for the O's who are on the rise and have scored twice against leaders Sheffield United and 5th placed Scunthorpe in their last two home starts (also conceding four). Bolton might be happy with a point, but are not really playing that way now and will need a goal or two to even claim that, United are certainly not the type of team to sit back and they should ensure we get another mini shoot out.
1.25 units "over" 2.5 goals 2.11 asian line/Sportmarket.
Good Luck.
