Written by Cornermanden. The author’s opinions and predictions are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Unibet. Odds and details may change between the time of writing and when placing a bet – always check before betting. 

It’s been a busy Christmas schedule for the teams in League One, and now, as the FA Cup rolls on, there are a few games in the third tier to preview. I will offer my thoughts on all four of them, between the eight teams that have been knocked out of the cup.

Check out my Betting tips for League One 07.01.2023 below.

Momentum Building For The Shrimps

Morecambe-Cheltenham Town

In my last blogpost I explicitly said that I think Morecambe are the worst side in League One. A day or so later, they beat Burton 5-0. I now sit here with “egg on my face”, looking stupid to say such a thing. But I still feel that I was onto something, because if you look back at the goals in the game (I watched the whole game), the five goals were more down to Burton’s horrible defending, than to Morecambe’s spectacular attack.

The Shrimps (Morecambe) can now make it three wins in a row from three home games, when Cheltenham Town come to town. It’s a game between two teams who I expected to see at the bottom-end of the table, and potentially be relegated come May. Cheltenham have looked more solid than I expected, after losing numerous key players and their fantastic manager, Michael Duff, in the summer. Wade Elliott has got his team playing well and is now a difficult team to beat.

This shouldn’t be a football classic, in my opinion. There are two defensive minded managers who come up against each other, and both teams are better equipped to destroy than to create. Plenty is at stake when these two meet at the Mazuma Stadium, and I think there’s a very good chance to see a game with few goals. Under 2.5 at 1.73 is my pick here.

The Turning Point

Cambridge United-Bristol Rovers

It seems like things turned for the worse when Cambridge manager Mark Bonner was linked with the job at Rotherham United in October. They’ve really struggled after that and now look like a poor team who are finding the offensive creativity incredibly difficult to muster up. Bristol Rovers, on the other hand, have their issues defensively, which manager Joey Barton has said that they will address in the January transfer window. It’s another game which I think can see few goals, although Coburn, Marquis, Collins and co. are in very good form for Bristol Rovers. 3.20 on the home team looks generous; United have usually been better at home.

A Proud Manager

Charlton Athletic-Lincoln City

Lincoln City have played more than 90 minutes with 10 men over the last two games, with sending offs in both games against Bolton Wanderers (which they drew 1-1) and Ipswich Town (which they again drew 1-1). Being an Ipswich fan, I obviously watched the game at Sincil Bank and thought that Lincoln were very lucky to come away with a point, but Mark Kennedy’s team are very well organised. They don’t concede many chances and limit their opponents to very few quality shots from close range. Kennedy said that he was a proud manager after their heroic display against Ipswich, and rightly so. They now travel to London to play Charlton Athletic, a team who is on an upward trajectory following the appointment of Dean Holden. The Addicks are currently favourites at 1.90 to win this tie. I think that sounds about right.

A Massive Blow

Bolton Wanderers-Plymouth Argyle

Concluding the final game of my betting tips for League One 07.01.2023 is Bolton Wanderers vs. Plymouth Argyle.

Argyle fans must be gutted. The team is doing so well and are top of the league for a reason, so what should they be gutted about? Well, their best player (by a mile!) has just been recalled by Swansea City, and is now linked with a loan move to promotion rivals Ipswich Town. Morgan Whittaker has scored nine and assisted seven goals since he signed for Argyle on loan in the summer, but the lads from Home Park must do without their attacking spark from now on. Bolton are heavy favourites to win this at 2.00 when I write these very words in the middle of the week.

I have waited for an opportunity to “lay” Plymouth (meaning that I’m betting against them), but don’t think there’s much value to find on that here. I don’t really know what to expect in terms of goals (over/under), so I honestly feel happy to let this game unfold on its own. No bet for me here, in a game that is massive for both teams at the top of the table.

If you’re pushing me for a score prediction, I think Bolton might edge it. 2-1.

Conclusion

Here are my main betting tips for League One 07.01.2023 in League One:

• Morecambe-Cheltenham. Under 2.5 goals @ 1.73.
• Cambridge-Bristol Rovers. 1X & under 3.5 goals @ 2.12.