Our festive both teams to score betting tips were something of a damp squib, and summed up rather nicely by one of our failed legs: Peterborough failing to score at MK Dons despite their opponents being reduced to nine men after just 35 minutes!
We came across a great stat on Twitter (the source unfortunately escapes us now) this week that revealed that some 30% of all 0-0 draws in the Premier League season came in the fixtures played between December 23-31….certainly food for thought for BTTS punters!
There’s a slight change of tact this time around given that it is FA Cup Third Round week, and hopefully the magic of the cup will lure strikers and attacking players out of their post-yuletide lull!
- Carlisle United vs Sheffield Wednesday: Both Teams to Score – Yes
- QPR vs MK Dons: Both Teams to Score – Yes
- Oxford United vs Blackpool: Both Teams to Score – Yes
- SPAL vs Lazio: Both Teams to Score – Yes
- Angers vs Lorient: Both Teams to Score – Yes
Carlisle United vs Sheffield Wednesday – Yes (3/4)
It wasn’t that long ago that these two sides were playing against each other in League 1, and while their respective fortunes have differed since you rather fancy that fourth tier Carlisle will fancy getting one over on their more illustrious opponents.
That should drive a typically aggressive performance from the Cumbrians, who have only failed to find the net once in their last seven games at Brunton Park.
Sheffield Wednesday are in the doldrums at present with five defeats in six; reason enough for eyebrows to be raised at former boss Carlos Carvajal’s ‘promotion’ to Premier League Swansea.
But the Owls carved out plenty of chances despite going down to Burton, and that result showcased two intriguing factors: they have still got plenty of panache going forward, but they are mightily vulnerable at the back, too.
QPR vs MK Dons – Yes (4/5)
For all their faults, QPR are still a decent side to watch under Ian Holloway and their home record suggests goals may flow here.
The Hoops’ faithful have witnessed BTTS in seven of the last eight matches at Loftus Road, and that is testament to Holloway’s front foot approach on home soil.
That will play into the hands of the MK Dons, who thrive on the counter attack with Chuks Aneke feeding Kieran Agard and Ousman Sow. They’re not in the best form by any means, but even so they have netted in nine of their last ten outings.
Oxford United vs Blackpool – Yes (7/10)
Oxford’s appetite for goals knows no bounds….although it’s not always the U’s putting the ball in the net.
Their festive results make for fine reading if you are a goals-based punter: 0-7 and 2-3 defeats to Wigan and Bradford backed by a 1-1 draw with Gillingham and a 3-1 win over MK Dons at the weekend.
Mind you, Blackpool are no slouches either. Six of their last seven have delivered BTTS verdicts, with five of those going over the 2.5 goal-line, as the Tangerines’ front foot approach proves to be their maker and their undoing. They’ve scored two or more goals in each of their last three, with their last clean sheet coming in November.
SPAL vs Lazio – Yes (10/11)
You wouldn’t necessarily think it judging by their lowly league position, but SPAL do boast a genuine goal threat.
They have netted in nine of their last ten league outings, and in a very promising 7/9 on home soil this term.
Lazio, meanwhile, may have kept clean sheets in their last pair of games but that only serves to suggest they are ‘due’ to concede. The stats back that up too: they have shipped in 13/18 this season and in 8/10 on the road.
Angers vs Lorient – Yes (5/6)
French football fans will enjoy their own version of the FA Cup this weekend, and one of the most appetising fixtures hints gently at an upset.
Angers are firmly ensconced in Ligue 1’s relegation zone and with good reason: they have not kept a clean sheet since October. That said, they have also scored in six out of nine on home soil.
Lorient’s form in Ligue 2 will hopefully give you an idea of how they go about their business: 4-2, 2-4, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2. They are a thrilling attacking force on their day, and they have the firepower to spring a surprise on their top flight opponents here.