Mark Robins has had a marked effect on Barnsley, hauling them off the bottom to the heady heights of 18th, where they are now level on points with Sheffield United. The Blades have a horrendous injury list:

Kyle Walker damaged ankle ligaments against Newcastle and is out, while a calf strain has shorn Blackwell of the services of Jordan Stewart.

Gary Naysmith, Derek Geary (both knee), Richard Cresswell (ribs), Jamie Ward (broken wrist), Nick Montgomery (knee), Lee Williamson (back), Andrew Davies (knee), Andrew Taylor (thigh) and Paddy Kenny (drugs ban)

And considering the recent form, Barnsley at 13/8 look a solid home bet.

Barnsley @ 13/8 (Boylesports, William Hill) – 2 points

Password protection removed 19/08 @ 11.42

There are Champions League, Premier League, and Football League fixtures this week. We’ve already tipped Wigan to beat Wolves, and the price has fallen to 8/11… here are our other selections, a collection of lays.

Ipswich v Crystal Palace

Ipswich have had a stuttering start, with one point from their first two matches. They have not played well either, and there are already murmurings of discontent at Roy Keane’s managerial style. Crystal Palace suffered at the hands of the referee with their ‘ghost goal’ against Bristol City, and you can be sure that they, and Neil Warnock, will be fired up and come out fighting. At a shade over evens, Ipswich are too short.

LAY Ipswich @ 2.1 (Betfair) – 2 points

Colchester v Gillingham

Colchester have started well, with two wins from two including the 7-1 destruction of Norwich – although sandwiched between them was a defeat to Leyton Orient. However, manager Paul Lambert has since left to take over at Norwich, leaving an air of uncertainty around the club. They take on Gillingham, who were unlucky to lose a strong Tranmere side after two victories (including one over Championship Plymouth) to start the season. This should be a fairly close game – which makes the shade over evens on Colchester seem short. It’s another lay…

LAY Colchester @ 2.12 (Betfair) – 2 points

Walsall v Leeds

Leeds are never as strong away as they are at home, and Walsall have started the season well, managing to scramble a point with 10 men last time out. At even money, without a strong run of form behind them, Leeds are worth opposing tonight.

LAY Leeds @ 2.04 (Betfair) – 2 points

An inconsistent ‘Boro side look value at 5.1 at home to an equally inconsistent Arsenal side. For a more conservative bet, Arsenal can be laid at around 1.83.

Doncaster are in decent form – W D D D W L – and were unlucky last time out. They have a tight defence, only going over 2.5 goals in one out of their last nine games, and Palace have lost Craig Beattie back to West Brom. Shefki Kuqi may struggle to break down a tough backline and laying Palace at 1.72 seems the bet here. They have not won for four games, and lost their penultimate home game to another basement struggler, Notts Forest. Doncaster are added value at 6.4.

Dundee Utd have already taken points from Rangers this season – and the Old Firm side have struggled away from home, dropping points in 4 of 8 games. There is value here with Dundee U at 5.4, or by laying Rangers at 1.83.

Finally, with injuries to Yakubu, Saha, and possibly Anichebe, Tim Cahill may play upfront for Everton against Man City – and he is available at 11/1 for first goalscorer. The 7/2 on him to score anytime is also worth a look.

Advised Bets:

Lay Arsenal @ 183 / back Boro @ 5.1

Lay Palace @ 1.72/back Doncaster @ 6.4

Lay Rangers @ 1.83 / Back Dundee Utd @ 5.4

Tim Cahill first goalscorer @ 11/1 / score anytime @ 7/2