First off, I wish you all a Happy New Year. Secondly, I hope you’re all set for some big profit in 2016, starting with this trio of goalscorers from Saturday’s afternoon kick-offs.
I’ll be backing all three players as singles while also combining them in a trio. If all three players find the target, it’ll be a huge win to start a prosperous 2016.
Let’s do this!
Sunderland V Aston Villa. 3PM
BET: Jermain Defoe to score anytime @ 11/5
For me, Aston Villa are already gone. But if Sunderland don’t pull their finger out soon, Big Sam could suffer relegation too. A home game against rock-bottom Villa is the perfect chance to start 2016 on a high, and I think they will.
But the Black Cats will need goals to overcome their bad fortune. Premier League strikers don’t come any more experienced than Jermain Defoe, and I’m backing the former Spurs man to show Sunderland a glimpse of brighter times at the Stadium of Light.
Defoe hasn’t been brilliant on Weirside, but he has shown glimpses. This is a game where I expect him to turn up the heat, especially as the away defence concedes an average of 2.1 goals per game on its travels.
At odds of 11/5, it has to be my bet of the day.
Burnley V Ipswich Town. 3PM
BET: Andre Gray to score anytime @ 6/4
Burnley’s Andre Gray is having a fantastic season as he fires the Clarets towards a top six finish, and he currently sits top of the Championship scoring charts with 15 league strikes to his name. Whilst Ipswich won’t be an easy game for Sean Dyche’s men, I do think they and Gray will enjoy a productive afternoon.
The promotion hopefuls have enjoyed some fantastic form at Turf Moor in recent weeks, beating both Charlton and Bristol City via 4-0 scorelines. Gray was on the scoresheet in both of those matches, including a hat-trick in the latter, and should be confident about finding the target again here.
Mick McCarthy’s visitors will put up a fight, especially as they harbour promotion hopes of their own. However, the Tractor Boys have conceded 17 away goals already. If they ship any more at Turf Moor, Gray has to be the leading candidate.
Given his recent run of scoring at home, I think he’s great value to start 2016 with a bang.
Bristol Rovers V Luton Town. 3PM
BET: Matty Taylor to score anytime @ 7/5
In League Two, only Leyton Orient’s Jay Simpson has outscored Rovers frontman Matty Taylor, and I’m backing the 13-goal striker to increase his tally as the Pirates take on a vulnerable Luton Town.
As well as the recent change of manager, the visitors have also shipped 17 in just 12 away matches this term. With Bristol Rovers netting 15 at the Memorial and currently sitting in the play-offs, there’s no reason to doubt their credentials here. And Darrell Clarke will be looking to his star man for inspiration… so will I.
Taylor started last month with a home hat-trick against Wycombe. I have every confidence in seeing him hit a fifth goal in four home games against an out-of-form Luton.
If the two other players find the target, it will be the perfect start to 2016. Come on Matty, do it for Martin!
As well as the three singles, I’ll be playing a £10 treble. The potential returns are £192. I’ve certainly heard worse ways to start the calendar year.
