The Panel's EFL Tips: Tom Lee's League One And Two Double For Game Week 4

Tom Lee's Panel Tips For This Weekend

• Tom Lee's Panel Tip 1: Barrow To Beat Harrogate Town - 5/4 With Unibet
• Tom Lee's Panel Tip 2: Bolton Wanderers To Beat Exeter City - 6/11 With SpreadEx

Stubborn Salford have somehow put the skids under us two weekends running, the often-atrocious Ammies somehow salvaging a late equaliser, their first league goal of the 2024/25 season, when reduced to 10 men against high-flying Chesterfield last Saturday.

Kelly N'Mai curled home a beauty for them to prevent a Spireites victory on that occasion, so it's back to the coalface to try to see out August with a second happy trip to the payout counter this month.

Harrogate Town Vs Barrow, Saturday, 3pm

This weekend's first selection comes from the same section of the football pyramid, as odds against Barrow FC get the nod for their trip to inconsistent Harrogate Town in League Two.

Football betting sites have Barrow as favourites at the Exercise Stadium in Harrogate. 

It's fair to say it's been a mixed beginning for the hosts, losing meekly to promoted Bromley on the opening day, rescuing a 93rd minute point in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Accrington, then sneaking a smash and grab 1-0 success at Colchester.

However, Simon Weaver's pretty much full-strength outfit were woeful at home on Tuesday evening when up against rejuvenated Preston North End in the EFL Cup, the latter suddenly full of verve and attacking endeavour since the arrival of new gaffer Paul Heckingbottom.

Granted, this was League Two also-rans against a far higher rated Championship set-up, who lest we forget, were this time 12 months ago top of the second tier under Ryan Lowe. 

It's the nature of the defeat that would have me taking Harrogate's temperature and checking for a pulse following a bruising 5-0 demolition.

A hardcore PNE fan, an individual who enjoys a flutter and knows the time of day, was present in the away end, gave this succinct version of the night's events: "The only thing Harrogate fans would take from it was being grateful it wasn't 10-0! 

"We hit the post twice, the crossbar once, plus we missed two absolute sitters. Oh, and we made a raft of changes too."

Arguably, this isn't the best weekend to be entertaining buoyant and in-form Barrow, the visitors sitting fourth after two victories in their opening three league fixtures.

Just one goal conceded hints at their improved defence, plus they'll have a spring in their step after squeezing past Derby County on penalties whilst on cup duties of their own in midweek. 

Helpfully, Barrow also won this corresponding away fixture almost exactly a year ago, returning from North Yorkshire with a clean sheet after a hard fought 1-0 success. 

More of the same will do nicely, and Stephen Clemence's Barrow are leg one of this weekend's wager at around 5/4 on the best betting sites.

Tom Lee's Panel Tip 1: Barrow To Beat Harrogate Town - 5/4 With Unibet

Bolton Wanderers Vs Exeter City, Saturday, 3pm

Having tipped Bolton Wanderers for automatic promotion from League One in my recent antepost column, it's time for the Trotters to get their skates on and start putting some points on the board, ideally with a win against visiting Exeter City.

Bolton dominated both possession (68%) and shots on target (8-2) when held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Wrexham first time out at home, but there's a good chance the handbrake can come off here.  

Earning a third-round tie at Arsenal, they easily took care of Shrewsbury Town in EFL Cup combat in midweek, the highlight being a goal for new signing Jordi Osei-Tutu. 

However, they badly want to get motoring in the league, the prize being the opportunity to atone for May's Wembley play-off final agony.

To their credit, Exeter have scored in all three league games so far this season, but Grecians fans will be well aware of how this one ended up less than a year ago, their side annihilated 7-0 at the back end of November.

More of the same would do nicely for followers of this column, with Bolton a confident pick at 6/11 on betting apps.

In summary, we're relying on Barrow and Bolton to sign off the month of August with a second winning column.

Tom Lee's Panel Tip 2: Bolton To Beat Exeter City - 6/11 With SpreadEx

Summary: The Barrow/Bolton win double is in the region of 9/4 with SpreadEx