The new season has so far produced a mixed bag of results for Brighton but that's only to be expected after a summer of upheaval and subsequent failure to establish a settled starting XI, so it could be worth opposing them at skinny prices when MK Dons visit the Withdean on Saturday.

The Seagulls started the campaign in a blaze of glory, beating Swindon in their own backyard, but injuries and suspensions mean Gus Poyet has now fielded 18 different players in four matches and the Sussex outfit could struggle to justify odds of 2.25 on the home win if continuity is any indicator.

In truth, it's difficult to know how to price Albion up because their games have been littered with red cards, both for and against, all of which appear to have had some bearing on the final outcome.

And when you consider they might field as many as eight players who only arrived in the summer, we shouldn't really attach too much weight to what happened last season.

However, what we do know is that they will always be fashionable at this level with a manager like Poyet at the helm and that probably explains the highly presumptuous quotes being offered by the bookies against a team who possess most of the desirable attributes they lack.

The Dons might have changed manager during the summer but little else has altered with a starting XI that virtually picks itself.

Karl Robinson should be applauded for placing such faith in the players he inherited, yet he could reap the benefits of the changes he has made behind the scenes with John Gorman and Didi Hamann added to the backroom staff.

Hamann, of course, takes his considerable influence out onto the pitch as the notable outfield addition and though he seldom stays out beyond the hour-mark nowadays, he invariably does enough to leave his colleagues in control of proceedings when his number goes up.

All of which means we should be perfectly happy to back the visitors with a goal head-start on the handicap market with Bet365 at 1.30, which is the equivalent of laying Brighton at 5/4.

Meanwhile, Rochdale had their 15 minutes of fame when compounding the self-inflicted turmoil at managerless Southampton last weekend, but it might be a case of 'after the Lord Mayor's show' when Walsall visit Spotland this weekend.

As the international break took the Championship out of action, Keith Hill's men headlined the BBC's highlights programme in some style last Saturday night and you don't have to be born in the Lancashire foothills to understand the significance of that event in the club's history.

However, it should be remembered that Dale have been rather jittery as a direct result of high expectations in front of their own fans in recent months and the 2.50 (Bet365) about the Saddlers on the draw-no-bet market is simply too good to resist.

Chris Hutchings' men haven't particularly caught the eye with a stand-out performance as yet but they've been competitive in each of their five matches so far, all of which have been settled by one goal scored in the second half - two in their favour, three against.

So while six points from five matches might not seem like the greatest of starts, it's not bad for a team that was rocked by the departure of star striker Troy Deeney on the eve of the opening fixture.

Hutchings has since brought in two quality replacements to fill the void left behind by the Watford man and we should expect the Midlanders to improve now that Jon Macken and Rueben Reid have had some time to settle in.

PICK:
MK Dons (+1) to beat Brighton on the handicap at 1.30 (at Bet365).
Walsall to beat Rochdale (draw no bet) at 2.50 (at Bet365).