It was a solid but unspectacular return for our both teams to score betting tips which focused on the English Football League, with a win ratio of 3/5 legs hampered by Arsenal’s failure to find the net against Manchester City.
In an ideal world we’d wait for more rounds of matches to be played before diving in to EFL games in our BTTS picks, simply because we need more attack/defence and shot data before we can make any useful conclusions about the sides.
That said, sometimes injuries/suspensions guide you towards a selection, as does intuition and gut feeling!
With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s tips:
| Match | Both Teams to Score Yes/No | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea vs Arsenal | Yes | 4/6 |
| Everton vs Southampton | Yes | 19/20 |
| Atletico PR vs Flamengo | No | 10/11 |
| Millwall vs Derby County | Yes | 4/5 |
| Brentford vs Sheffield Wednesday | Yes | 8/11 |
| All Five Results as an Accumulator | 18.29/1 | |
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
While it’s not for us to question the judgement of noted tactician Maurizio Sarri, you wonder how successful the new Chelsea boss’ switch to a 4-3-3 formation will be.
The Blues won the title with three at the back after all, and the new shape could leave David Luiz – restored by the new gaffer – hopelessly exposed with just Antonio Rudiger for company.
Arsenal were completely outplayed by Manchester City on Sunday, but we expect improvement here and a front three of Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Ozil, with Lacazette waiting in the wings, is exciting.
But defensively there are concerns for the Gunners. Defensive midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, fresh from France’s Ligue 2, could be ruthlessly exposed at this level, while the likes of Nacho Monreal, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Saed Kolasinac and Laurent Koscielny are struggling with injuries.
Everton vs Southampton: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
Everton produced a buoyant performance in the 2-2 draw with Wolves, aided by an exciting attacking display from Richarlison on debut in particular.
Marco Silva’s teams do tend to attack with relish, and that bodes well for an entertaining campaign for the Toffees.
However, they welcome Southampton to Goodison Park without the suspended Phil Jagielka or Yerry Mina, who is still lacking match fitness after his World Cup exploits.
The Saints will look to take advantage, and with Mark Hughes being able to pick from Charlie Austin, Manolo Gabbiadini, Danny Ings and Mo Elyounoussi in attack you sense that goals won’t be hard to come by.
Atletico PR vs Flamengo: Both Teams to Score (No)
Here’s a culture clash which suggests a low-scoring encounter is likely.
Atletico PR have scored just nine goals from open play in Brazil’s Serie A this term; a sure-fire cue that they rely too heavily on routes to goal dogged by luck and variance: set pieces, penalties, own goals and the like.
Flamengo, on the other hand, have conceded just nine in eighteen from open play, which highlights the organisational capabilities of their defence.
Millwall vs Derby County: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
The importance of Curtis Davies to Derby is clear for all to see. Missing at the weekend through injury, the Ras would go on to lose 1-4 on the back of a shaky defensive performance.
Davies remains sidelined alongside defensive midfield shield Tom Huddlestone, and Frank Lampard’s men could be exposed by a physical and direct Millwall outfit.
That said, the quality that Derby possess in the final third is obvious, with Tom Lawrence, Harry Wilson and Mason Mount dovetailing behind new man Martyn Waghorn.
You sense there could be goals in this one.
Brentford vs Sheffield Wednesday: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
When Jos Luhukay took the reigns at Sheffield Wednesday his first three games ended 0-0, but since then it’s been a goal extravaganza for the Owls.
BTTS has landed in 13 of their last 19 games, including both this term with a 1-1 draw with Hull backed by a 2-3 defeat at Wigan.
Brentford will meet them head on here. The Bees stuck five past Rotherham on the opening day, and earned a decent point at Stoke last time out in a 1-1 stalemate.
Brentford conceded 52 goals last season – more than any other top-nine side – and so we can expect plenty of goalmouth action on Saturday.