BETTING TIPS BY CHARLIE ALLEN
The U's face Hartlepool on Saturday with a first chance for Aidy Boothroyd to manage his side in front of a home crowd.

There is likely to be a good atmosphere about The Weston Homes Community Stadium and the U's players will no doubt want to build on two good away draws with a home win.

The U's are 5/6 favourites to get all three points on offer on the day, with Hartlepool at 10/3 to take all three points away with them. The draw is 5/2. I can see The U's winning this one so the odds of 5/6 don't really surprise me.

The first goalscorer market will see a new name on the Colchester side of things with Kayode Odejayi signing on loan from Barnsley for three months.

The powerful front man will be challenging for a start and has odds of 11/2 to bag the first goal on Saturday.

However I expect that it'll be Clive Platt up top with Kevin Lisbie, with those two having odds of 5/1 to score first.

On the Hartlepool side of things, James Brown is 8/1 to score first on Saturday and after he punished the U's last season in the opening game of the season, Colchester defenders will have to be aware of his threat.

Adam Boyd is another player who will prove a threat and he has odds of 9/1 to break the deadlock. Denis Behan has bagged two goals so far this season and he is next up with odds of 10/1 to score first on the day.

As for a few outside bets for first goalscorer, Leon McSweeney has odds of 14/1 for Hartlepool and the Irish midfielder will be looking to add to his tally.

The U's outside bet could well be Anthony Wordsworth, with odds of 12/1, the midfielder has so far played both of Aidy Boothroyd's games in charge and the youngster has taken over free-kick duties with David Fox dropped to the bench so is always going to have a chance of a goal.

Score wise the odds suggest the U's will win but by how many is up to you. I think that's a bit harsh on Hartlepool though who proved last season that they can more than hold their own.

With odds of 14/1 Hartlepool to win 2-1 will certainly see some money placed by the away fans on the day, I expect.

However, I do think the U's will win this one and the odds of 14/1 for a 3-1 U's won are certainly the most appealing to me.

The U's are just 40/1 to win 4-0 on the day but that seems a little low to me.

The odds of 7/2 for the match to be level at half time with the U's going on to win are certainly very appealing. As are the odds of 15/8 for the U's to be winning at half time and win the game.

Away from the Weston Homes Community Stadium, Arsenal face Wigan at The Emirates following their brilliant comeback in the Champions League in mid-week.

West Ham host Liverpool at Upton Park and The Reds finally look to have found their feet this season however a shock may be on the cards there.

Sunday sees the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and injuries may have put City's chances of coming away with all three points in doubt.

Portsmouth travel to Aston Villa looking for their first point of the season however after only five games played they do look in trouble already.

U's v Hartlepool prediction: 3-1

Best Bet: Kevin Lisbie first scorer @ 5/1

Accumulator tip: Arsenal, Newcastle, Cardiff, Colchester, Leeds and Bournemouth

To place your bets, click HERE.