It was a case of nearly but not quite for the column last week, with three out of five selections landing.
Of the two that let us down, we were undone by Will Keane’s injury time goal for Stoke at Ipswich, while Doncaster suffered a rare blank on home soil in the FA Cup.
Still, some tasty prices ensured a profit from the successful trio. Will this be the week that we enjoy a clean sweep of winning both teams to score betting tips?
| Match | Both Teams to Score Yes/No | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United vs Liverpool | Yes | 8/13 |
| Portsmouth vs Barnsley | Yes | 3/4 |
| Colchester United vs Carlisle United | Yes | 8/11 |
| Amiens vs Nice | No | 4/6 |
| Freiburg vs Augsburg | Yes | 4/6 |
| All Five Results as an Accumulator | 16.80/1 | |
Manchester United vs Liverpool – Yes (8/13)
Two of the most in-form attacking sides do battle at Old Trafford on Sunday in an iconic Premier League fixture.
There will be no shirking the task, no bending tactically to their opposition: this will be front foot football from both sides, and may the best team win!
We would certainly expect goals, and Manchester United’s extra 24-hour recovery period over their Merseyside rivals could prove all important.
Pogba, Rashford, Lukaku, Sanchez…even with Lingard and Martial on the treatment table, United will be a threat as they were at Stamford Bridge on Monday night; scoring twice and missing out on more.
Liverpool might be without Dejan Lovren for this game, and we would fancy Rashford enjoying his afternoon’s work up against Joel Matip.
As for the Reds’ attacking options, well, they require no introduction.
Portsmouth vs Barnsley – Yes (3/4)
A promotion six-pointer in which the hosts are (mildly) floundering and the visitors are flying. It’s got BTTS written all over it!
Portsmouth are without a win in six (W0 D3 L3) and their last eight matches have witnessed 29 goals; 15 for and 14 against.
Whereas once Pompey were untouchable at Fratton Park, now they look vulnerable; and Barnsley are well placed to take advantage.
The Yorkshireman have blasted 19 goals in their last eight games, and in a very handy last six – W5 D1 L0 – they have only kept one clean sheet. Ergo, BTTS has landed in five of their last six.
Colchester United vs Carlisle United – Yes (8/11)
Colchester United fans have been getting good value of late; their last eight games have witnessed an incredible 28 goals!
In their last half-dozen alone they have stuck three past Port Vale and Cheltenham, and four by Northampton, so everything is going in the right direction.
Mind you, they do concede at roughly a goal per game at home, and that is testament to their attacking approach in front of their own supporters.
Being purposeful might get the job done against Carlisle, who have looked fragile in back-to-back defeats to Crewe (1-2) and MK Dons (2-3).
That said, the Cumbrians have scored in seven of their eight games in 2019, and with their hosts relatively vulnerable defensively BTTS is a fair wager here.
Amiens vs Nice- No (4/6)
Two of the weakest frontlines in Ligue 1 do battle, to coin a phrase this weekend.
Amiens have scored just two goals in their last half-dozen outings and three in eight, so they’re not exactly setting the world alight at present.
Nice, if you can believe it, are even more flaccid. They’ve scored just nine goals on the road all season, and their conservative approach will surely be taken to the next level with the knowledge that Dante – their ever-present centre back – is suspended.
Watching Nice park the bus, and Amiens try and break them down, might just be a fantastic cure for insomnia, bit not great for BTTS backers.
Freiburg vs Augsburg – Yes (4/6)
A lengthy injury list has been rather hampering the progress of Augsburg of late.
They have a whole team of players either out for the short or long term, and that maybe explains why they have won just one of their last 13 games and lost five of their last six.
The visitors are still game, however, and gave Bayern Munich a tremendous tussle last time out before going down 2-3.
Prior to their 0-0 draw with Schalke last time out, Freiburg’s previous four games had witnessed 20 goals.
They obviously parked the bus at Schalke, but they will play on the front foot here and with Augsburg struggling right now who knows what might occur.