Southampton vs Plymouth – Lambert could miss Saints opener
Published:Southampton could be without a host of key players for their opening game of the season, a south coast derby against Plymouth (kick-off 12.15pm, Saturday).
Alan Pardew’s Saints are the 8/11 favourites to win this potentially explosive firs League One fixture at St Mary’s, but they will have to try doing so without some big names.
Adam Lallana is unavailable with a knee injury, while last season’s top scorer Rickie Lambert is doubtful with a groin strain.
Lambert is the 4/1 favourite to retain his crown as League One’s leading goalscorer, and his absence could be a big blow to Southampton’s hopes.
In their first League One encounter since being relegated from the Championship, Plymouth are 7/2 outsiders to kick-start their season with a victory.
The Pilgrims’ new manager Peter Reid could hand Lee Molyneux his first start after the defender signed permanently following a trial.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Dagenham and Redbridge
Wednesday and Dagenham were separated by an entire division last season, but with the Owls’ relegation from the Championship and the Daggers’ League Two promotion, the two will meet on equal terms at Hillsborough.
Alan Irvine has been busy in the transfer market this summer, and his new-look Wednesday side start the game as firm favourites at 4/9 to win.
Dagenham, meanwhile, kick off their first season in English football’s third tier hoping to surprise their lofty opponents with a 6/1 shock victory.
Notts County vs Huddersfield
The battle of the League One big spenders sees Notts County (6/4 to win) host Huddersfield (7/4) at Meadow Lane.
Both sides have brought in new faces, and one such player is the home side’s striker Ben Burgess, who is 6/1 to mark his first competitive match for the Magpies with the first goal.
Who will be Huddersfield’s biggest threat? Jordan Rhodes, their top scorer last season, is 5/1 to open the scoring against Notts County. See the full Notts County vs Huddersfield Match Betting Odds market.
