Stevenage v Argyle - Pilgrim Punting

ARGYLE will take on Stevenage on Tuesday night as the slight underdogs with League sponsors Sky Bet.

The Pilgrims, who suffered their first defeat since January against Bury at Home Park on Saturday, are backed at 9/5 to secure the win while the Boro, unbeaten in their last four league games, are priced at 8/5.

The last – and only time – the two sides have played each other was earlier this season, a game that finished 1-1. Stevenage were on course to clinch a vital 1-0 away win before Greens striker Deane Smalley converted a penalty in the eighth minute of added time to level the contest. Now, this is where things get interesting…

Andy Haines has been appointed the referee for tomorrow’s fixture. The Wearside whistler has overseen two previous Argyle fixtures of a Tuesday evening, both of which finished 1-1 and our only ever game against Stevenage ended 1-1.

A wise man once said: “There are two things that I don't believe in: coincidence and leprechauns." Actually, it was a wise, albeit fictional, woman; Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the point still stands. A draw with both teams to score is available at 100/30 while a 1-1 correct score-line is 9/2.

If you’re feeling brave, or just fancy backing an outsider, why not place a cheeky bet on defender Peter Hartley to get on the score sheet? The 26-year old, who signed for the Pilgrims last summer from Stevenage, has recorded the most shots on goal after top goal-scorers Reuben Reid and Lewis Alessandra this season and has notched five goals, all from set pieces. A £1 on Hartley to score at any time against his former side during the 90 minutes will return £10.

Statistically speaking, in 70% of Argyle’s league games this season, there have been fewer than 2.5 goals while Boro have averaged just 1.75 goals scored in all home ties. Sky Bet may not be expecting a goal glut during Tuesday’s match, but with under 2.5 goals available at 4/7, there is plenty of opportunity for you to score a winning bet.

That’s got to be worth a punt, surely.