Best bets for the weekend

Stevenage v Colchester 3pm Saturday
Colchester are unbeaten on the road in Sky Bet League Two this season and they should be backed to keep that sequence going on their trip to Stevenage.

United are fourth in the table, a position that is backed up by excellent expected goal ratings, and suggests John McGreal's men should be aiming for the playoffs at the very least this term.

Colchester are full of goals, scoring in every match bar their opening 0-0 draw at Notts County, and they have notched ten times in their last four outings with three-goal hauls against Cambridge, Oldham and Yeovil.

Tuesday's triumph over Yeovil was a dominant display and coincided with the return from injury of centre-back Tom Eastman to partner Luke Prosser, while Tom Lapslie is back in midfield.

Lapslie alongside Harry Pell is a solid base from which to work and there is quality in the final third with Frank Nouble, Luke Norris and Sammie Szmodics which may be too hot for Stevenage.

Boro are going along nicely in seventh without playing particularly well and they have benefited from a soft run of games which has already seen them face bottom-three sides Grimsby, Cambridge and Macclesfield at home as well as ante-post relegation favourites Morecambe.

Highly-regarded defender Luther James-Wildin will be suspended after being sent off late in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Exeter, in which Boro failed to register a shot on target.

Recommendation
Colchester draw no bet
2pts 19-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

Southend v Oxford 3pm Saturday
It could be a good weekend for the Essex boys with Southend also fancied to come out on top when they host Oxford.

Chris Powell's hosts have looked a different side since switching to a back three, beating Fleetwood, Wycombe and Burton with their defence appearing more solid. They have also been creating opportunities with the clever Simon Cox behind Theo Robinson and Tom Hopper.

Mark Oxley, Dru Yearwood and Michael Kightly have recently returned from the sidelines and their absences combined with a difficult set of made it a tricky start for the Shrimpers.

Southend have won five, drawn one and lost one of their seven matches faced against sides below them, a key stat considering Oxford are languishing in 23rd spot.

"Right now you’re looking down a dark tunnel with no light at the end of it," said Oxford manager Karl Robinson after Tuesday's 2-1 reverse at home to Luton. That was his side's eighth defeat in 11 games and they have collected just one point from the last 15 available.

No team in League One have conceded more league goals than Oxford's 23, with Robinson pinpointing individual errors for their defensive woes. They go into this match without the suspended Shandon Baptiste, who has been a rare bright spark this season.

Recommendation
Southend
1pt 88-100 Hills

Swansea v Ipswich 3pm Saturday
Two managers who walked into new clubs in the summer seem to be heading in very different directions. Paul Hurst is under intense pressure after a winless start at Ipswich whereas Graham Potter is weaving his magic at Swansea.

The Welsh club were always going to need time to settle after changing so many players following relegation from the Premier League, although their recent performances have been excellent with a 3-0 win over QPR followed by a superb show in Tuesday's 0-0 at Wigan.

Potter's side have conceded only one goal in their last five games and should fancy their chances of another shutout as Ipswich are lacking in the striking department with Jon Walters and Ellis Harrison injured.

Harrison was one of many Hurst signings from the bottom two divisions and they have struggled with the step up to Championship life.

The clever movement and fluidity of Swansea in the final third could leave the stalled Tractor Boys in trouble.

Recommendation
Swansea
1pt 10-11 Betway

Spal v Inter 7.30pm Sunday
After a slow start Inter have got their act together and they should justify their odds-on status at Spal.

Their comeback victory over Tottenham was the turning point. Four more victories have followed and hotshot Mauro Icardi won the game for Inter away to PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Luciano Spalletti's side is packed full of talent whereas Spal, who just avoided relegation last term, are on a run of four defeats in five games.

Recommendation
Inter
2pts 7-10 Hills

Plays of the weekend

Banker
Inter 7-10
Playing on Sunday should give Inter enough time to recover from their Champions League efforts and they look well placed to land a sixth straight win at Spal.

Blowout
Bristol City 4-5
4-6

Accumulator
Dortmund9-20, West Brom6-10,Juventus2-5,Roma4-6,Inter13-20 Betway

Both teams to score
Games atLeicester3-4,Watford7-10,Crawley8-13,Lazio4-6 Betfair

Thought for the week

It was not the first time and hopefully won't be the last but being in the stadium to watch Lionel Messi playing football never gets boring.

Messi was mesmeric at Wembley on Wednesday, scoring twice, hitting the post on a couple of occasions and generally lighting up the match every time he got the ball as Barcelona left Tottenham bewildered on occasions during their 4-2 success.

He nearly always picks the right time to make the right action whether it be shot, dribble or pass. He slows the game down or speeds it up at will and Messi stands head and shoulders above the rest of the game's elite performers.

Messi will be 32 in June, his time at the peak of his powers won't go on forever, and if you love football and have never seen him live it's time to find a way to make the pilgrimage to Barcelona before it's too late.

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