Playing Away: Back a travelling trio of Notts County, Cheltenham and Stevenage

After coming so close to the ultimate ‘Playing Away’ glory on Tuesday night, I am convinced I have a money-spinning treble on my hands for Saturday with wins for Notts County against Carlisle, Cheltenham Town over AFC Wimbledon and Stevenage against Colchester United.

I am not sure whether I will ever be able to trust Micky Adams or Port Vale again after the Staffordshire club were held to a 2-2 draw at Walsall that prevented me from claiming a huge treble on the midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy action.

Regular readers of Playing Away articles will know that backing one or more of the three teams individually is the advised punting route and I did practise what I preach, cleaning up on the victories for Preston and Crewe.

Even with those triumphs, Vale’s failure left me questioning my abilities as a purveyor of all things betting in relation to League One and League Two.

However, after a concerted campaign of encouragement from my fan (there’s a bloke on Facebook who ‘likes’ my articles) I decided to get back to business, heading out to my tactics shed with a battery-powered heater and a laptop in hand.

And it would appear the footballing gods are smiling down on me today, with three away punts featuring teams that have thus far gone unbeaten on the road this campaign.

By all means, back just one of Cheltenham, Notts County or Stevenage to prevail, but the treble offers odds in excess of 15/1, which equates to winnings of £307.67 for anyone using bwin’s free £20 bet after registering with us.

So, without further ado, here’s why our latest trio have been selected.

Notts County to beat Carlisle @ 17/10

I don’t know whether it is those silver locks or his cheeky grin, but I’ve had something of a soft spot for Notts County manager Keith Curle this season.

Part of the reason may ultimately be the form of the Nottingham club themselves, who are so far unbeaten on the road and have scored an impressive ten goals in six away fixtures, helped in no small part by the presence of Lee Hughes.

A trip north to Carlisle could see them add to these tallies, with the hosts without a win in five games at Brunton Park in all competitions. In fact, the Cumbrians have won just once at home this year and are without a goal in three games on their own patch.

Notts County beat Carlisle home and away last season, with a 3-0 away win recorded in the corresponding fixture back in August 2011. I expect history to repeat itself here at a decent-looking 17/10.

Stevenage to beat Colchester @ 33/20

Stevenage are flying high in League One this season, lying second in the division and unbeaten so far this term.

The Boro’s away form has proven particularly strong, with four wins and one draw from their opening five outings on the road. They head into this one on the back of two wins on the bounce and yet, for some reason, they are narrow outsiders.

This price looks even better when you consider that Colchester are on a sorry run of league form dating back to the end of last term. In all, the U’s have won just three of their last 24 league fixtures and head into this one after surrendering meekly to an out-of-form Yeovil team last time out.

Stevenage fans will have fond memories of their last trip to the Colchester Community Stadium – they won 6-1 there on Boxing Day last year.  Christmas may come a little earlier this year, with a gift of an away win at 33/20.

Cheltenham to beat AFC Wimbledon @ 23/20

Neil Ardley will get his first taste of league management this Saturday when his AFC Wimbledon team entertain Cheltenham Town. However, it may not be to his liking given the Dons’ current home form, which has seen them lose their last three matches at Kingsmeadow.

In fact, the Wombles have claimed just a single victory at home this term, making their chances of winning against Cheltenham appear pretty slim.

Mark Yates’ men are on a run of five matches without defeat in the league and won their last away game at lowly Bristol Rovers. Clean sheets have also been the order of the day for the Robins, who have kept three in their last four away fixtures.

Another away win for Cheltenham is ‘Ardley one you can miss at 23/20. Er, I’ll get my coat.

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