January has arrived, and it’s set to be a crucial month for clubs across the English leagues. At ToePunter, however, we’re more focused on goals than points – not least when it comes to the BTTS coupon.
Our first accumulator of 2017 comes courtesy of Monday afternoon’s fixtures. We’re backing six teams to all find the target with high hopes of beginning the year with a tidy 11/2 winner. Here are our selections, let’s hope they provide the first of many winners ahead.
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City
Mike Phelan’s Tigers may be struggling, but a 2-2 draw against Everton will have instilled a fresh sense of optimism for the Humberside club. Perhaps more tellingly, it could be the catalyst that sees them switch to a more attacking approach, starting with their trip to the Hawthorns.
The visitors have scored just five away goals this term, but they can take heart from their performance at West Ham in their last away game. If the visitors can create the same number of chances this time around, they should score at least once through the quality of Robert Snodgrass, Adama Diomande, and co.
Having said that, Tony Pulis has got West Brom looking stronger than ever. The Baggies boast 16 goals in nine home games while their two goals at Southampton underlined their qualities going forward.
Those improvements in the attacking third have come at a cost, though, and a tally of 13 home goals conceded shows this. We would edge towards a home win, but do think the visitors will score. At odds of over evens, we’re backing both teams to find the target.
BTTS Yes @ 17/16 with Unibet
Chesterfield v MK Dons
Goals have been a common feature at the Proact Stadium this term as the Spirites have scored 17 but shipped 19 in just 11 home league matches. As they welcome fellow strugglers MK Dons for their first clash of 2017, we have no reason to think the goals will dry up.
A win could potentially drag Danny Wilson’s men out of the bottom four and the likes of Ched Evans will certainly fancy their chances of goals against an away team that sits just four places above them – even if the Dons have only conceded 11 in 11 away games.
After all, the visitors are still getting to grips with the new management team, who will be using January as the month to really start stamping their authority. Nevertheless, the Dons still have plenty going forward while they should be in good spirits following Friday’s 3-2 win against Swindon.
It’s unlikely to be the highest scoring fixture of the afternoon, but there’s plenty of reason to think both teams can score. That’s exactly where our money will be going.
BTTS Yes @ 14/19 with Unibet
Cambridge United v Notts County
While Notts County have been nothing short of terrible at Meadow Lane, their away form is strangely the only thing giving them hope of retaining their Football League status in 2017. However, they should be prepared for another difficult test as they head to
A return of five wins is only one less than Cambridge, who enter 2017 occupying the final play-off spot. Perhaps more crucially, though, at least for this bet, the Magpies boast 16 goals in just 10 away games. Given that Jon Stead and Jonathan Fonte both scored at the weekend, the visitors can at least have optimism heading into this one.
Then again, a run of eight straight losses will leave the visitors feeling vulnerable. With 13 goals in 11 home games, Cambridge are hardly the division’s most frequent scorers. Nevertheless, Shaun Derry’s men should start the year by scoring for a ninth straight league game.
Again, we’d edge towards a home win. However, the best bet has to be goals.
BTTS Yes @ 9/11 with Unibet
A £10 treble returns £65.20 with Unibet
