Scottish League Two
Let's start at Albion, where Brechin are the visitors this week. It's a real interesting one from a shot-data perspective - with Brechin having converted a woefully low proportion of their chances so far this season. They have actually created 26 efforts on goal this season, but scored just once. Offensively they simply have to get better, and surely will. When you consider that across the season, most sides will expected to score a goal for around every seven efforts, you see why those sorts of level are unsustainable. At the other end, they have conceded a more normal six goals from 42 shots against, and that has to be a real worry. Perhaps equally concerning for fans will be the record away from the league. They have lost four and drawn once in the cup this season, with Forfar netting three, Ross County and St Johnstone both getting four, and Elgin ending on five!
Hosts Albion have scored and conceded nine apiece in the division so far, including a credible 4-4 draw against Cove, who look every bit the Champions this year. Some naivety therefore, but also some reasons to be optimistic. With early season shot-data showing 23-31 in efforts on goal and 12-16 in on-target efforts, they look unlikely to trouble the top of the table this season, but they should have enough for Brechin this weekend. At 11/8 they are a decent play.
Staying in the section, Queens Park were heavily backed last weekend, and duly ran out 3-0 winners at Brechin. That extended their unbeaten run to six matches, and they are odds against to make it seven when Elgin come knocking this weekend. Queens Park are a very healthy 42-16 in shots at goal, and 15-4 in on target efforts. They are defending soundly and doing the right things at the other end as well. They should be a contender this season.
Elgin have perhaps been flattered by their 5th position and it could be a long season for them. Their victory over Brechin perhaps raised more doubts than confidence as they conceded four in that one.
Queens Park will go off odds-on here, so snap up the 11/10 with Sporting Bet before it goes.
Finally Cove Rangers may very well be crowned champions come the end of the season, and are value at 8/11 to beat Stirling Albion this weekend.
Cove have already achieved more shots than anyone else in the division (50) and comfortably the most on target (24). The next nearest on the latter is just 13. Stirling by contrast have a divisional worst of just five on-target efforts.
Cove are now unbeaten in six, with three of those matches being won by three clear goals, and they have now scored 21 goals in six outings. With Stirling now on a run which has seen them win once and lose six of their last seven, an away win looks highly likely in this one.
Recommended Bets
2pts Albion to beat Brechin at 11/8 (Marathon)
2pts Queens Park to beat Elgin at 11/10 (SportingBet)
2.2pts Cove to beat Stirling at 8/11 (General)