TODAY'S FOOTBALL ..........

A few brief notes about this afternoon's matches..........

CHAMPIONSHIP

WATFORD - READING

Watford have fallen on hard times, most of their "stars" have been sold and the squad is not big enough to cope with more than a few missing players. Recent injury problems have not improved and Doyley and Priskin are also both out today. Reading still have pretty much a Premiership level squad and the side that put six past Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, will be boosted by the return of Ingimarsson. Actually, Watford lost 2-0 at Wednesday last weekend in a match dominated by the Yorkshire side, which tells you all you need to know about the size of the home team's task today.

6 points Reading -1/4 ball 2.05 asian line.

DIVISION 2

WYCOMBE WANDERERS - DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

I discussed Wycombe on Monday, which you can read in the archive section of the website, if you log in to your account. It is not that they are a poor team, they are not, Peter Taylor has got them well organised and they defend very well, with just a single goal conceded all season, but they pose a limited goal threat. Brentford have played these two in the last fortnight and almost all supporters I have spoken to, regard D&R as the better team at present and they are scoring for fun, with a league high total of 16 goals. No team has stopped them yet and if they again notch a goal, it is very hard to see Wanderers scoring twice. There has been a few words at Wycombe this week between Taylor and top player Scott McGleish, who was unhappy at being substituted last week, he has been fined by the club and is not sure to be included today.

5 points Dagenham +1/2 ball 1.85 asian line.

BLUE SQUARE PREMIERSHIP

BARROW - KETTERING

These two were both promoted from the BS North last season, Barrow through the payoffs and Kettering as runaway champions. Hosts made a good start to life in the Premiership, but recent indications are that teams are coming to terms, with their direct style. Kettering are unbeaten in nine games, are quite a classy outfit and never know when they are beaten, that's probably because they have forgotten what it is like to lose, having tasted defeat just 5 times in 51 league starts ! They have signed some quality players, experienced at this level and above, unlike most sides in the BSP, the very long trip to Barrow, will not be a journey into the unknown, they went there three times last season ! They have won three of the last four meetings, drawing the other and I do not see them losing that unbeaten tag today, facing a side with injury problems up front.

6.5 points Kettering level ball 1.95 asian line.

OXFORD UNITED - CRAWLEY TOWN

You all know that I rate Oxford higher than the league table would suggest and that they have let us down several times ! However, last time we backed them, they managed to come from behind and post a win, breaking our duck, so we can try them today, facing the league leaders. Crawley will be without two key players and boss Steve Evans starts a very lengthy suspension, during which, he is not allowed any contact with his players for 90 minutes, before of after the game !

United's injury problems are clearing up, Trainer and Turner return, James Constable is fit to play and strike partner Jamie Guy will have a late test, but is also likely to play some part. However, clincher for me is that they have signed Paul Evans, the 34 yo veteran of 500+ league games, is a leader of men and is just what they need to push them forward from midfield. I am a little biased, as he is one of my all time favourite Brentford players, but he did go on to play at a higher level and also for Wales, so it was just not me that rated him highly . Evans played for an hour last week in an impressive debut and will strip much fitter today. I do not see Oxford losing this.

6 points Oxford level ball 1.80 asian line.

Good Luck.