Nationwide Conference:
Rushden & D'monds 1 Oxford Utd 0 FT
Oxford Too Strong For Rushden's Rough Diamonds
Rushden & D'monds v Oxford Utd 09 Dec 15:0021-20 with Bet365 on the Asian Handicap for Oxford -0.5, -1
Bet Advised: Thursday 07th December 2006
Although still top of the Conference, Oxford United have been slipping a little of late after their excellent start to the campaign.That said, they have still suffered just the one league defeat this term, when going down 1:0 away to Gravesend & Northfleet three weeks ago.
By contrast, things are far from comfortable for Rushden & Diamonds, whom Oxford visit this Saturday.
Both of these teams were relegated from League Two last season, but while Oxford seem to be doing everything within their powers to reclaim their status as a Football League club, Rushden appear to be heading in the other direction, with another relegation currently a very real threat.
The club are currently managerless after the dismissal of Paul Hart and, even with new owners now on board, the club looks set for a tough time over the remainder of the season.
There are few more experienced manager's in the game than Oxford's Jim Smith and, having expressed his concerns with his team's form following the 2:2 draw at Stevenage last time out (a game in which they had to battle back from a two-goal deficit), a marked improvement could be on the cards here.
The 21-20 with Bet365 on the Asian Handicap for Oxford -0.5, -1 looks a reasonable punt. It requires a two-goal margin of victory for the visitors to make a clear win, but a one-goal winning margin would still provide you with a pay-out based on half your stake multiplied by the price, with half your stake being returned.
