Just two of our five BTTS betting tips landed last week, and while we can ruminate as to exactly why that was sometimes we just have to echo the words of Sir Alex Ferguson in saying ‘football….bloody hell.’
For example, Exeter and Wycombe met on Saturday – two teams that averaged 2.75 and 3.00 goals per game heading into the clash. Guess what? It finished 0-0.
One of the reasons why we love football is because it can be so unpredictable at times, and so as both teams to score punters we simply have to shrug our shoulders and move on.
With that in mind, who forms the basis of our BTTS betting tips this week?
- Southampton vs West Brom: Both Teams to Score – No
- Barnsley vs Hull City: Both Teams to Score – Yes
- Southend vs Bury: Both Teams to Score – Yes
- Exeter vs Port Vale: Both Teams to Score – Yes
- Newport vs Mansfield: Both Teams to Score – Yes
Southampton vs West Brom – No (8/13)
If ever a game shouted BTTS – No, it’s this one.
Southampton have failed to score in three of their five home matches this term, and their general play suggests a side that is cripplingly low on confidence in the final third. Some 50% of their outings this term have ended either 0-0 or 1-0.
West Brom scored with their only shot on target against Leicester last time out – and even that was a stunning but low-frequency strike from Nacer Chadli, and Tony Pulis’ deep defensive line when playing away from home does not lend itself to goals.
The Baggies have scored one or fewer goals in 7/8 matches this term, and they won’t look to reinvent the wheel on the south coast on Saturday.
Barnsley vs Hull City – Yes (8/13)
The enterprising play of Hull City under Leonid Slutsky is resulting in some pulsating clashes for their fans to enjoy, and some pretty regular BTTS outings for punters to savour.
Indeed, each of the Tigers’ last six have witnessed both teams scoring – it’s perhaps no surprise that they boast the Championship’s best attack and fourth worst defence according to the goals stats.
Mind you, Barnsley aren’t to be outdone on that front with five of their last six delivering BTTS and 9/12 breaching the Over 2.5 Goals mark. We know that these things don’t always pan out as expected, but this fixture should have plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
Southend vs Bury – Yes (7/10)
You may have read online in midweek that BTTS landed in 11 of the 12 midweek matches in League 1, so now seems to be a good time to get involved!
Southend are a strange old bunch as far as their schizophrenic results are concerned, but they tend to save their best work for home matches. They’ve netted in six of their last seven home or away, and shipped two or more goals in four of those seven.
Curiouser and curiouser still are Bury, who are yet to win away from home this term despite netting in five of their half-dozen away days – including a brace at fortress Rotherham and another strike at the unstoppable Wigan!
Exeter vs Port Vale – Yes (8/11)
Club stalwart Neil Aspin has only been in charge of Port Vale since October 4 – and already they have doubled their points tally
They stuck three each past Cheltenham and Morecambe to signal their improved attacking intent under the new boss, and they should take plenty of heart from an Exeter outfit who really do struggle defensively at home.
The coastal side have shipped eight in their last three home outings, with the xG stats confirming they boast the second worst home defence in League 2 in terms of stopping their opponents from creating good goalscoring chances.
Newport vs Mansfield – Yes (8/11)
Newport have only conceded three goals at Rodney Parade this season, but xG data suggests they have been rather fortunate to not concede a whole bunch more.
Their power at home was dissipated by the 1-2 loss against Colchester on Tuesday evening, their first of the campaign in front of their own fans, and so the air of invincibility is well and truly extinguished.
Mansfield have conceded eleven in their last six games, and found the net in five of their seven away dates.