Three Football League sides making a spring-time leap

There’s little doubting that each of the three divisions in the Football League are some of the hardest to conquer, but sometimes it’s all about hitting form at the right time.

So often down the years we see a team nowhere at Christmas and New Year, only to rocket up through the rankings in the latter stages.

What’s more, the sides that make a late spring-time climb often offer great value too, as long as you can spot the run early enough.

So we’ve taken the liberty and perused the Championship, League One and League Two to dig out a trio of sides who are just coming into bloom…

Championship

While Middlesbrough and Hull hog the limelight – and the betting – it’s Burnley who are really making a move at the sharp end of the table.

The Clarets have won five and drawn two of their last seven games, conceding just three goals in that spell to move a point behind the leading pair.

Last weekend’s 1-0 victory at home to Steve Bruce’s promotion-chasing Tigers was the latest statement of intent from Sean Dyche’s side, who were 33/1 to win the league in early January.

Their form has seen those odds tumble, but at 7/1 – they’re still much more appealing than Middlesbrough or (8/11) or Hull (12/5), both of whom have slipped up in recent weeks.

League One

Having lost three of their opening seven matches, Wigan seemed unable to avoid a downward spiral as suffered by former Premier League pals Portsmouth.

Gary Caldwell’s men have really kicked on since then however, losing just two of the following 23 games.

Seven wins and three draws from their last 10 has thrust them into contention behind Walsall and Burton, who have both lost twice in that spell.

Athletic are a 3/1 price to win the league, compared to Burton’s 5/4 and Walsall’s 11/4.

League Two

A 3-2 home defeat to Accrington Stanley on November 21 left Cambridge United 18^th in League Two with eight losses in their opening 18 fixtures.

Seven wins and three draws from their most recent 12 games however is a massive turnaround for Shaun Derry’s men and they’re now within reach of the play-offs.

Teams around them have games in hand, but it’s always better to have points on the board and the U’s boosted their hopes further by announcing the extension of a host of loan-deals this week.

Winning the league may be a stretch with Northampton 15 points up the road, but the 16/1 on the Abbey Stadium outfit to be promoted and play League One football next season could tempt.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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