With the Premier League and Championship taking a break during the international period, League One takes centre stage on the domestic front this weekend.
There is a double-header in the third tier on Sunday afternoon, with Coventry City entertaining Stevenage (home 13/10, draw 9/4, away 21/10) and troubled Portsmouth travelling to Crawley Town (home 4/5, draw 5/2, away 7/2).
Momentum plays a key role in modern football and the clubs on show have experienced contrasting fortunes in recent years.
Portsmouth and Coventry, two sides relegated from the Championship last term, have struggled to adapt to life in League One.
In Pompey’s case, that is completely understandable. Michael Appleton saw all of his senior players leave Fratton Park in the summer as the financially-stricken club moved towards liquidation.
The Portsmouth boss fielded a near-youth team in the Capital One Cup first round, with nine players under the age of 21. He brought in 10 new players on short-term contracts and four on loan ahead of their League One opener on August 18, and has continued to add to his squad in the time since.
As you would expect the new-look outfit has struggled to gel and Pompey have amassed just two points from four games.
They travel to Crawley (14/1 – League One outright) this weekend, a club which has achieved back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons. The Reds have had no issues adapting to life in League One – winning three of their opening four matches.
Loanee Nicky Ajose and the experienced Gary Alexander (First Goalscorer and Crawley 2-0 – 25/1 – Scorecast) have led the line superbly and will pose a significant threat to Portsmouth’s backline.
A second relegation in as many years is a real possibility for Pompey and they will not be afforded any favours at Broadfield Stadium (Crawley/Crawley – half-time/full-time – 13/8).
Managerless Coventry, who have financial problems of their own, have yet to win in their first season in the third tier in 48 years.
The Sky Blues established themselves as a top-flight club throughout the latter part of the last century but stood still following their relegation to the Championship in 2001. In their case, they could not find any kind of momentum.
Coventry (Correct Score 1-0 – 7/1), under caretaker bosses Richard Shaw and Lee Carsley, will be desperate to open their account at home to unbeaten Stevenage.
Like Crawley, Boro went straight from the Conference to League One in two seasons. They reached the play-offs in their first season in the third tier and are a good bet to repeat the feat this term.
They are unbeaten in the league going into tomorrow’s clash but will face their most difficult challenge to date at the Ricoh Arena.
Coventry’s desperation for points gives them the edge and should see them get their campaign underway (Draw/Coventry – half-time/full-time 4/1).
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Celtic and Dynamo Kiev will look to protect commanding first-leg leads when the Champions League resumes on Wednesday ahead of the group stage draw for Europe’s premier club competition – which includes holders Chelsea as one of 22 automatic entrants – on August 30 in Monaco.
Italy’s top teams switch their focus to the Coppa Italia and Tuesday sees possibly the tie of the round with Serie A leaders Juventus hosting sixth place Roma (Juve evens, draw 12/5, Roma 11/4 – match prices).
The absence of the Uefa Champions League means the Uefa Europa League will enjoy top billing this week and match day five will see a host of teams bidding to join the six already through to the round of 32.
Braga (4/5) coach Domingos Paciencia has urged his team to break their Champions League duck and record their first Group H win against Partizan Belgrade (7/2) on Tuesday.