Jimmy's Punt hero

Jimmy's Punt: Premier League & EFL tips, predictions and best bets for January 16-19


  • Jimmy’s Punt: Staked 192.40pts | Returned 179.29pts | P/L -13.11pts | ROI -7%

Football betting tips: Premier League & EFL

Thursday 20:00

2.5pts Shrewsbury or draw (double chance) vs Wrexham at evens (Sky Bet)

0.5pt Shrewsbury to win and Jamal Blackman to be carded at 35/1 (bet365)

0.5pt Aaron Pierre to score first at 50/1 (Sky Bet)

0.5pt Aaron Pierre to score anytime at 20/1 (Sky Bet)

*More bets to appear here...

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair

https://m.skybet.com/lp/acq-bet-10-get-40-acca-affiliate?sba_promo=ACQ10G40FBACCA&aff=688&dcmp=SL_ED_FOOTBALL

There is hope for the column yet.

Yes, we are still in the red but the shift towards taking on the shortest priced sides won some points last weekend with Plymouth and Reading both picking up FA Cup results in 90 minutes.

The method still needs some fine tuning. I was trying to be a little too cute with the stakes but you live and you learn.

I'm still not over the fact Ben Hazard avoided a booking in Argyle’s win of the round at Brentford, I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. We’ll just have to take some solace in the fact we got a run for our money.

Hopefully, we’ll be on the right side of some selections this weekend with keeper cards, outsiders and goalscoring centre backs in the staking plan.


Shrewsbury vs Wrexham

It is all or nothing with Gareth Ainsworth.

A squad either buys into his whacky ways and siege mentality (see spell at Wycombe) or doesn’t (see stint at QPR) and it looks like this SHREWSBURY side are doing the latter.

That said it was a topsy-turvy start. Ainsworth began his reign with a shock 3-2 win over Birmingham, the Shrews then lost their next three games on the spin and conceded 10 goals in total.

Since the 4-1 defeat against Wycombe, Shrewsbury have taken six points from five games and looking at their brutal schedule, nine points from as many games under Ainsworth is not a bad haul.

Town have played four sides in the top half, two of the top three and host Wrexham on Thursday in a cross-border derby.

When you combine their uptick in results alongside Wrexham’s poor away form (W3 D4 L4), I think siding with the hosts WIN-OR-DRAW DOUBLE CHANCE is a nice way in at New Meadow.

Ainsworth said in his pre-game presser that fans have warned him of the importance of winning this derby and he explained his hoarse voice was a result of relaying that sentiment to his players.

So, I would like to think his side will be pulling out all the stops to ensure a victory here and this is why combining SHREWSBURY TO WIN alongside keeper JAMAL BLACKMAN TO BE CARDED appeals at 35/1.

The keeper has been carded four times across his last 40 appearances, three for time wasting. Referee Simon Mather has also booked three keepers this term.

Aaron Pierre

AARON PIERRE has scored twice under Ainsworth and interestingly, both were the first goals of the games.

His opener against Northampton was a rebound and came after a punt up the field from the goalkeeper. The other was against Birmingham from a set piece.

At 50/1 and 20/1, splitting a point across Pierre's prices TO SCORE FIRST and TO SCORE ANYTIME provide some interest at big odds.

Wrexham have conceded the joint-second fewest number of goals from set pieces in League One this term (4) but an expected goals against figure of 9.22 from dead-ball situations suggest they have been fortunate.

Set pieces are usually the difference in derbies as well.

Odds correct at 1240 GMT (15/01/25)


More from Sporting Life


Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.


Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Join for Free
Image of stables faded in a gold gradientGet exclusive Willie Mullins insight, plus access to premium articles, expert tips and Timeform data, plus more...
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits

FOOTBALL TIPS