Double Chance Selections – Sat 25th Feb – Black Cats Look A Great Bet

I’ve decided that my Double Chance selections are much better when I stick UK football, and that’s what I’ll do from now on. I advised cautionary stakes for the Europa League games in midweek, and wasn’t shocked by the mixed bag of crazy results. So we’re back on home turf for Saturday’s double chance treble, and top of my list has to be Sunderland.

West Brom v Sunderland X or 2

The Baggies are starting to knock in a few goals and were very impressive in their 5-1 mauling of Wolves a fortnight ago, but Sunderland hold all the aces here.

Martin O’Neill has inspired the Black Cats since his arrival, and they can now be considered a good, solid team.

West Brom have won just 2 of their last 10 games at The Hawthorns, and have only picked up 1 point in their last 5. Hardly inspiring stuff.

Sunderland have completely transformed under O’Neill, and their recent form suggests they could win this game, making covering the draw a very safe option.

Bury v Leyton Orient X or 2

I’m confident Leyton Orient can pinch at least a point at Gigg Lane on Saturday against Bury.

The home sides form has nosedived recently and they are now without a win in their last 5 games.

They only scraped a 1-1 draw with second bottom side Chesterfield in their last home game, and have slipped down to 14th in the league.

Leyton Orient are 1 point behind their opponents in 15th place with a game in hand, and have won 4 of their last 5 away games, including a 1-0 win at promotion chasing Stevenage.

Recent form suggests that Leyton Orient can win this, so I’m very happy to have the draw on my side.

Middlesbrough v Reading X or 2

It pays to follow team in form, and Reading are certainly in form at the moment.

Accumulating 15 points in their last 6 games, Brian McDermott’s team have what it takes to beat Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Boro have only lost twice at home this season, but have drawn 8 of their 16 games, far too many for a team chasing promotion to the Premier League.

The visitors haven’t conceded a goal in their last 4 matches, and will make it very tough for Middlesbrough to break them down.

While the draw is a likely outcome, Reading are taking by far the best form into this clash, making the Reading/Draw combination my choice.