Torquay v Cheltenham: Robins look good to hold onto advantage

A 2-0 loss away to Cheltenham on Sunday represented Torquay’s sixth consecutive game without victory, and they must end this run at 11/10 on Wednesday to have any chance of making Wembley.

By contrast, visiting Cheltenham enter this game on the back of three wins from their last four, and will see support at 23/10 to record back-to-back successes over their hosts.

A draw too would be enough to see the Robins make the playoff final, given their two-goal aggregate advantage heading into the game, and this outcome can be backed at 5/2.

Wednesday’s encounter will be the fifth between the teams in all competitions this season, and each of the last two matches have bucked a trend of both teams finding the net.

That trend had occurred the previous five times the sides had met though, and may happen again here at 8/11, bearing in mind that matches involving these two have reaped a combined total of over 220 goals in the league this term.

This statistic could also lead punters to invest in 5/1 odds about the net bulging four times in the net, as it has done in fourteen of these sides’ league outings this term.

Goals look a certainty, and those punters believing that Cheltenham’s recent form will prove too hot for the home side can back the Robins to win or draw a match featuring three or more goals at 5/2.

It may also be worth noting that Mark Yates’ travellers have won via a 3-1 scoreline on five occasions this term, so with both looking likely to score, that could be a viable option at a huge 33/1.

Torquay’s top scorer Rene Howe leads the betting for first scorers at Plainmoor on Wednesday, as a 5/1 shot for the opener, to add to his 14 goals for the campaign.

Meanwhile, physically imposing forward Ben Burgess wrapped up the scoring at Whaddon Road on Sunday, and is a 7/1 chance to break the deadlock for the visitors in this clash.