Well, that was embarrassing. Either it’s getting harder to predict who will score as the season reaches its shuddering climax, or we had a temporary lobotomy last time out; whichever, landing 1/5 selections isn’t acceptable.
And so we seek a much better week this time around with our both teams to score betting tips, and hope that the desperation that these dying embers of the campaign bring will result in plenty of goal-laden encounters.
Here’s our five to watch this week:
| Match | Both Teams to Score Yes/No | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Burnley | Yes | 10/11 |
| Birmingham City vs Fulham | Yes | 4/6 |
| Coventry City vs Morecambe | Yes | 11/10 |
| Crewe Alexandra vs Cheltenham Town | Yes | 1/2 |
| New York Red Bulls vs New York City | Yes | 1/2 |
| All Five Results as an Accumulator | 13.63/1 | |
Arsenal vs Burnley – Yes (10/11)
Whenever Arsenal take on a physical, rugged opponent, we always expect them to struggle.
Not in an attacking sense – their front three of Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil is as good as any on the planet – but from a defensive perspective this is a backline that appears ready-made to be bullied.
The Gunners have shipped goals from the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Glenn Murray lately, who aren’t shrinking violets by any means, and you suspect Burnley’s attacking options – be it Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes or Sam Vokes – will have a similarly unsettling impact.
The Clarets have netted in each of their last two trips to the Emirates.
Birmingham City vs Fulham – Yes (4/6)
With plenty riding on this game for both sides, you would surely expect goals to follow?
Birmingham are in that awkward position where a point would be enough to keep them clear of the Championship relegation mire, but you can’t imagine them playing for a 0-0 here.
Conversely, Fulham are chasing Cardiff hard for that second automatic promotion place; if they win, then the Bluebirds must do likewise.
It would be beggars belief then if this contest fizzled out into an action-free snoozefest.
Coventry City vs Morecambe – Yes (11/10)
A handsome odds-against chance here in a fixture which could degenerate into an absolute barnburner.
Okay, so it’s not exactly Morecambe’s style to go gung-ho, but if they concede early against Coventry here – and Barnet take the lead against the already-relegated Chesterfield – then they will have to throw the kitchen sink at the cause.
Coventry’s place in the play-offs is confirmed, but they are still turning out some rather entertaining performances: BTTS has landed in each of their last seven, and in that run they have won 6-1 and 3-1 and lost 2-6 and 2-4!
Crewe Alexandra vs Cheltenham Town – Yes (1/2)
Crewe love a goal – they have bludgeoned 19 in their last 10 outings – and they will be looking to end their campaign on a high here.
Unfortunately for them, they can’t defend, with one clean sheet since February telling its own tale.
What has happened to Cheltenham? They’ve lost five of their last six, and in their last pair of matches they’ve been shot down 3-4 by Cambridge and 1-6 by Coventry.
New York Red Bulls vs New York City – Yes (1/2)
The New York derby isn’t quite up there with Liverpool vs Everton or Inter vs AC Milan for ferocity, but one thing it does have the habit of doing is producing goals.
Since the start of the 2016 campaign, there have been 7-0, 4-1 and 3-2 encounters in just seven fixtures, and already the two sides are up to their tricks in 2018: over 2.5 goals landing in 7/9 for NYC and 6/7 for the Red Bulls.
These two sides also boast two of the MLS’ most deadly marksmen: Bradley Wright-Phillips and David Villa.