Football – England – League One
Saturday 19th January 2013 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Yeovil Town have emerged recently as one of the form sides in League One and they entertain 16th place Preston North End at Huish Park on Saturday afternoon as they go in search of a fourth successive league win which could lift them up into the play-off pack.
Yeovil are now just a single point behind MK Dons and the last remaining play-off spot and they have a good chance of walking away with all the points here today given their recent improved run of form; just one defeat in their last seven matches with wins over Oldham Athletic, Portsmouth, Leyton Orient and away at Sheffield United last weekend has set them up nicely for the downhill phase of the season.
Yeovil’s home record stands at 6-2-5 19/15, but they have improved on home soil as well having lost just once in their last five matches which puts their record into perspective and how much they’ve turned things around.
Under the guidance of former Bristol City manager Gary Johnson, The Glovers have gone from strength to strength and their leading scorer Patrick Madden (11 goals) has scored 5 goals in the last 5 matches. Hayter (8 goals) has also given great support along with ammunition supplied by Upson and Foley (6 assists each) with Foley and Reid also scoring 4 goals apiece.
Preston could be forgiven if they seem reluctant to travel to the west country on the back of just one win in their last ten matches; a 1-0 win at rock-bottom Hartlepool United succeeded a rare win at Stevenage, but all in all, if Preston do get anything from this match it’s likely to be just a single point.
Preston’s away record stands at 5-4-4 18/17 but they’ve been far too inconsistent both home and away all season and I just can’t see them upsetting Yeovil in their own back-yard today despite midfielder’s Nicky Wroe’s best intentions (leading scorer with 5 goals). Beavon (4 goals, 3 assists) and Joel Byrom are the other main dangers in attack but they don’t have the same firepower as Yeovil and they should struggle this afternoon.
Yeovil have been impressive recently, stringing together a host of league wins and they indeed should record a fourth successive win against a frail Preston side who cannot get any sort of run of form going at the moment – a 2-1 win for the hosts but take the draw no bet option just in case.
Pick: Yeovil Town AH0 (Draw No Bet) @ 1.75 Pinnacle looks a good deal
