2nd September 2014

Off the back of a weekend treble that was just one Cardiff goal away from winning, we now look towards a few selections this midweek in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

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Finding winners in this competition is notoriously difficult, lots of teams make lots of changes and of course you’re never too far away from an upset.

Firstly, I am backing Cheltenham at home to Oxford.

The U’s have had a torrid time of late with just the one point in the league thus far, that came on Saturday, the same day that the Cheltenham went joint top of the league.

Cheltenham have the resources to ensure they are fighting on more than one front and so will have the players to keep their League priorixties going alongside a cup run.

Oxford however are still looking for a combination of player to get that elusive win, that could mean changes galore and might mean taking a number of players low on confidence into this game.

With the repercussions of dropping out of the league too big to risk, I don’t think a run in this competition is top of the ‘to-do’ list at the Kassam.

Cheltenham are a surprising odds against, at 11/10 and that’s value too good to turn down.

Cheltenham to beat Oxford at 11/10.

Next up is a Yorkshire derby as Barnsley host York City.

The home side, Barnsley are the pick as they get back to Oakwell after gaining a point against Yeovil on Saturday.

York are on a run of four consecutive draws and what they wouldn’t want is a trip to face a League One promotion candidate.

Barnsley are capable of replacing quality with quality within their squad, so changes won’t make that much difference to the strength of the team.

York however are working with a slightly smaller set up and the run of games may take it’s toll.

It’s a home win for me.

Barnsley to beat York @ 4/5.

The final selection comes from another of the northern ties, Scunthorpe host Chesterfield and I’m going to be backing an away win.

In a clash of the two recently promoted sides Chesterfield have settled to life in League One much better than their opponents.

They have already set up camp in the play-off places and have taken results against Fleetwood and Leyton Orient this season.

Scunthorpe haven’t had quite so much to cheer, they did notch up their first win of the campaign on Saturday but have struggled to find form.

Loss of players to other clubs and injury to key players like Deon Burton and goalkeeper Sam Slocombe is testing the size and strength of the squad it could be a tough time for the Iron this Tuesday.

Chesterfield to beat Scunthorpe @ 17/10.

Those three put together will give you combined odds of over 9/1.

So, with the unpredictable nature of the competition, I shall suggest a smaller than average stake of just £2.50.

Never the less, a £2.50 treble will return £25 – Enough to buy your next ticket to a Huish Park fixture.

As ever, please only bet to the level you are comfortable with.

As for Yeovil Town, they go into the game as slight favourites against Portsmouth, the home side are 7/5 to win inside 90 minutes, with Pompey outsiders at 8/5.

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Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.

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