Numbers Game

Matty Briggs tips Bristol City to win at Barnsley in his latest Numbers Game column.

The Numbers Game returned with a bang last week with @MattPBriggs returning 4.9 points of profit from six advised bets. The winning tips included Stevenage (13/8), Fleetwood (6/4), Sheffield Wednesday (11/10), both teams to score in Norwich v QPR (4/6) and we got our money back on Stoke after backing them draw no bet against Arsenal. The gods must have been smiling on me too, as Wycombe, who were one of last week's selections, were losing 3-1 only for the game to be abandoned and thus returning our stake. This week I reckon Bristol City will sink Barnsley and think West Ham v Fulham will see both teams score. I've also got some big-priced tips in the Treatment Room and Famous Last Words and some interesting opinions from the bookies in the Traders' View.

VALUE BET

Bristol City to win at Barnsley 17/10. It has been slim pickings as far as value goes this week, but there is just enough about Bristol City to make it worthwhile. The Robins have been nibbled at all week and Barnsley's midweek defeat at Swansea hasn't helped our cause. The Tykes were thumped 5-1 at Brighton last weekend and seven of that team got a run-out in Tuesday's 3-1 cup defeat at Swansea and they are all likely to be thrown back in against Bristol City. Keith Hill's men did show an improvement in Wales, but they might just pay for that hard-working display against a Bristol City side, who have had a week's rest. Derek McInnes' men, who look like being underestimated by the bookies, beat Cardiff 4-2 last time out and with Jon Stead, Ryan Taylor, Steve Davies and Sam Baldock to choose from up front they should have enough firepower to sink the hosts. WHO'S HOT Swansea (6/5) have won both Premier League games and host Sunderland (13/5). Everton (6/4) have won both Premier League games and travel to West Brom (21/10). Blackpool (5/2) have won three from three and travel to Leicester (5/4)(5.20pm). Oxford (6/4) have won all three League Two games and travel to York (2/1).
Gillingham (11/10) have won all three League Two games and host Chesterfield (13/5).
WHO'S NOT

Southampton (11/2) have lost both Premier League games and host Man Utd (6/10) (Sun 4pm).
Aston Villa (5/1) have lost both Premier League games and travel to Newcastle (4/6) (Sun, 4pm).
Peterborough (11/2) have lost all three Championship matches and travel to Birmingham (6/10).
Crystal Palace (11/5) have lost all three Championship matches and host Sheff Weds (6/4).
Scunthorpe (12/5) have lost all three League One games and travel to Hartlepool (5/4).
Leyton Orient (4/1) have lost both League One games and travel to Crawley (8/11).
BOGEY TEAMS

West Ham (8/5) have won three and drawn four of the last seven home league games against Fulham (2/1) (12.45pm).
Sunderland (13/5) have won only one of the last eight league games against Swansea (6/5).
Liverpool (23/20) have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games against Arsenal (3/1) (Sun, 4pm).
Newcastle (4/6) have won six and lost just one of their last 11 Premier League home games against Aston Villa (5/1) (Sun).
Manchester United (6/10) have won their last four visits in all competitions to Southampton (11/2) (Sun).
Ipswich (23/20) won 10 of last 11 at home v Huddersfield (11/4).
Leeds (7/5) lost one of last 22 at home v Blackburn (21/10).
Colchester (7/2) lost one of last 13 at home v Tranmere (evens).
BANKER

West Ham v Fulham both teams to score at 8/11 (Sat, 12.45pm).

It's suicidal to get involved with short prices so early into the season so I've followed last week's lead and gone with a 'both teams to score bet'. West Ham look fragile at the back London rivals Fulham generally get the jitters on the road.
HOT-SHOTS

Everton's Marouane Fellaini has scored in both league games and is 3/1 to score at WBA.
Bristol City's Martyn Woolford has scored three in his last two Champ games and is 5/1 to score at Barnsley.
Bradford's James Hanson has scored in his last two league games and is 10/3 to score at Rotherham.
TREATMENT ROOM

Bury to beat Notts County at 11/5.

Striker Yoann Arquin (ban) will miss out and fellow frontman Francois Zoko (injury) could also be sidelined again.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS

Colchester to win at Tranmere at 16/5.


Tranmere, who were saved by goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams at Shrewsbury, struggled last week and boss Ronnie Moore said: "We never started until the second half. For 45 minutes we were never in the game which is not like us and we looked tired."

Dagenham to win at Wimbledon at 21/10.


After last week's 2-1 defeat at Gillingham, John Still said: "We played with good pace which is what we have been working on and it's that pace which will eventually turn good performances into results. The harder you work the luckier you get, we are disappointed but not down hearted."

You can follow me on Twitter at @MattPBriggs