Friday 23rd September 2022

In Across the Leagues today:

• Italy v England tonight…
• Leagues One & Two – standout stats…
• Two games live on Sky Sports…

Weekend Preview – including a 14/1 shot for tonight…

There are two big sporting events on TV tonight…

In the Laver Cup tennis, Roger Federer plays his last ever match before officially retiring. He’s playing doubles at the O2 Arena with another living legend, Rafael Nadal. You can watch that match at 8.30pm on Eurosport & Discovery+. Our tennis analyst Tom Wilson has written a nice piece about Federer today – you can read it here .

In the football, Italy v England is live on Channel 4, with kick-off at 7.45pm. This UEFA Nations League tie is of course a rematch of last summer’s European Championship final. Including that 1-1 normal-time draw at Wembley, and a 0-0 behind closed doors since – each of the last four meetings between Italy and England have ended all-square after 90 minutes plus stoppage time (0-0, 1-1, 1-1, 1-1).

If you want any more ammo for the draw-potential this evening, then consider too, that both teams arrive at the San Siro in less-than-inspiring form…

The Italians failed to qualify for this year’s upcoming World Cup, and have won just one of their last five games in all competitions – most recently beaten 5-2 by Germany in June.

England are also on an unsatisfactory run of just one win from five. And last time out, in June, the Three Lions were humbled 0-4 at Molineux by Hungary.

The draw is 21/10 (3.1) in general. The 1-1 Correct Score is a best price 11/2 (6.5) with Boylesports, who also have the top price 7/1 (8.0) for the 0-0. If it does turn out to be another tight encounter, then Under 2.5 Goals will prove a justified favourite in the Under/ Over market, at 8/13 (1.62).

On the hunt for bigger odds, here’s a nice little stat that I’ve unearthed in my research today:

• A defender has got on the score-sheet in 7 of England’s last 10 games

In terms of the head-to-head, wing-back Luke Shaw got England’s goal in that Euro 2020 final. With centre-back Leonardo Bonucci equalising for Italy.

Defender Alessandro Bastoni scored on his last International start for Italy.

A centre-back with standout scoring credentials is Harry Maguire – six of his last nine goals for club or country have come when playing for England. Odds of 14/1 are worth taking for an outside bet tonight.

EFL focus…

With the International fixtures consuming most of the weekend fixture list, we’re left with two main domestic divisions to focus on from the league covered by the stats on our website…

There are 20 games taking place across League One and League Two this weekend. With this being round 10 of the 2022/23 season, the English Football League (EFL) formbook is starting to take shape…

EFL fans are also treated to two live games on Sky Sports:

• Forest Green v Exeter – Saturday 12.30pm

• Plymouth v Ipswich – Sunday 12.30pm

Leagues One & Two – standout stats…

Using the data on our website, here are the standout stats match-ups and prices that catch my eye this weekend:

League One:

Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe

Over 2.5 Goals @ 19/20 (1.95)

• 3 of Sheff Wed’s last 4 league games have gone Over 2.5 Goals: 2-2, 0-3 (W), 5-0 (W)

• 4 of Wycombe’s 5 away league games this season have paid out on Over 2.5 Goals (80%)

Plymouth v Ipswich

Most Corners: Ipswich @ 8/11 (1.73)

Note: with this game live on TV on Sunday lunchtime, more bookies may put up Corners markets between now and kick-off. See below for the best odds at the time of writing.

• Plymouth have got the Most Corners in just one of their 5 home games so far

• Ipswich are ranked no.1 in League One for Most Corners payouts this season, with 8 out of 9 overall – including 4 out of 5 away (80%)

League Two:

Northampton v Stockport

Match Result: Northampton to win @ 8/5 (2.6)

Anytime Scorer: Sam Hoskins @ 15/8 (2.88)

• Northampton are 3rd in League Two, have won 3 games in a row – and won 4 out of 5 at home (80%)

• Northampton’s Sam Hoskins is top scorer in League Two with 10 goals. He’s landed Anytime Scorer bets in 6 out of 9 games

• Stockport have lost all 4 of their away games, conceding 2+ goals each time

Log-in to view all our League One and League Two stats at:

www.acrosstheleagues.co.uk

TODAY’S PICKS

Italy v England
Nations League, Fri 7.45pm – Channel 4

• Anytime Scorer: Harry Maguire @ 14/1 Bet365, Skybet, 13/1 Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, 12/1 Betfred

Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe
League One, Sat 3pm

• Over 2.5 Goals @ 19/20 (1.95) Bet365, 10/11 (1.91) William Hill, BetVictor, Betway, SpreadEx, Unibet

Plymouth v Ipswich
League One, Sun 12.30pm – Sky Sports

• Most Corners (or Corners Match Bet): Ipswich @ 8/11 (1.73) Bet365, Unibet, 7/10 (1.7) William Hill, Betway, 8/13 (1.62) Skybet

Northampton v Stockport
League Two, Sat 2pm

• Match Result: Northampton to win @ 8/5 (2.6) Boylesports, 6/4 (2.5) William Hill, 29/20 (2.45) Betfred, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, Ladbrokes, Coral

• Anytime Scorer: Sam Hoskins @ 15/8 (2.88) Bet365, Skybet, 13/8 (2.63) Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral, 6/4 (2.5) Betway

Enjoy the football…

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Across the Leagues