Burnley - Wimbledon, English Division 1
2004-03-20 16.00 CET
Pick: Burnley
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,53
Final reason for bet
· Burnley has performed better after New Year than before.
· Burnley has five straight undefeated matches at home.
· Burnley has an almost fully fit squad.
· Wimbledon is in real bad shape having lost their nine last games.
· Wimbledon has major selection problems because of injuries, suspensions and players leaving.
General comment about the game
On Saturday Burnley will be visited by Wimbledon for an afternoon clash in the English division 1. Burnley is currently in 20th place three points above the drop zone. They are alongside nine other teams fighting to avoid two of the places that mean relegation to a lower division. We do not count Wimbledon among these since they are cemented in the bottom and will therefore most definitely be the third team that faces relegation. Burnley is in quite good form. They have only lost two games since New Year and that has been when playing on the road against two teams in great form; Coventry and Millwall. At home they are undefeated so far during 2004. This is even more impressive when looking at some of the teams they have met; Preston, West Ham, Ipswich and West Bromwich are all promotion candidates. They have also managed to win against fellow relegation battlers Gillingham. In midweek they played against rejuvenated Nottingham away. Nottingham had most of the ball but Burnley created the best chances and also took the lead. However, Burnley was denied all three points since Nottingham managed to equalise ten minutes before the end. We believe that these dropped points for Burnley will act as a catalyst when facing lowly Wimbledon on Saturday. Burnley has an almost fully fit squad for the visit of Wimbledon. Midfielder Tony Grant (29(2) apps, 0 goals) is rated doubtful since he damaged his knee against Nottingham in midweek. Defender Lee Roche (14(4) apps, 1 goal) is definitely out through injury.
Wimbledon continues too loose. They have now lost nine matches in a row. Since their recent sell out in late January they have not even managed too score a single goal. It seems to have no difference whoever the opponents are. Last weekend they went down to struggling Walsall by 1-0. This was a Walsall team that had not won for ten matches in front of the Wimbledon match. But just as we predicted Walsall turned out to be a much better team than Wimbledon. It was never any doubt who would win the game even if Walsall only managed too score once. They dominated the play and Wimbledon was never close to get back in the game. Wimbledon still has some injuries in their depleted squad. Veteran striker Dean Holdsworth (26 apps, 3 goals) and midfielder Wade Small (18 apps, 1 goal) have not recovered from their injuries and will miss out again. Defender Dean Lewington (18 apps, 1 goal) is suspended. Striker pair Wayne Gray (9(12) apps, 0 goals) and Jamie Mackie (5(3) apps, 0 goals) will face late fitness tests on Saturday. Both missed the game against Walsall.
Once again we will suggest a bet against Wimbledon. Also this time they face a team involved in the relegation battle. However, we believe that it does not matter that Wimbledon faces struggling teams. They are just not good enough to be in this division especially since they have lost so many players recently. Furthermore, Burnley has played quite good after New Year so it would be a major surprise if they do not collect three vital points on Saturday. Medium stake 3% is suggested.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-03-17 |
Nottingham-Burnley |
1-1 |
|
2004-03-13 |
Coventry-Burnley |
4-0 |
|
2004-03-06 |
Burnley-Preston |
1-1 |
|
2004-03-02 |
Burnley-West Ham |
1-1 |
|
2004-02-28 |
Millwall-Burnley |
2-0 |
Recent games for away team
|
2004-03-13 |
Walsall-Wimbledon |
1-0 |
|
2004-03-09 |
West Ham-Wimbledon |
5-0 |
|
2004-03-02 |
Wimbledon-Nottingham |
0-1 |
|
2004-02-28 |
Watford-Wimbledon |
4-0 |
|
2004-02-21 |
Wimbledon-Coventry |
0-3 |
Home table
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Burnley |
18 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
28-22 |
27 |
Away table
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Wimbledon |
18 |
3 |
0 |
15 |
14-42 |
9 |
Links for this game
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Wimbledon: |
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// SportsObserver 040319
