Boxing Day promises to be an explosive afternoon of action across the English leagues, and we’re looking to capitalise with a 5/1 treble on the BTTS coupon.
We’re backing six teams to each find the target, and they’ll hopefully tun our £10 stake into over £60. Here are our selections.
Burnley v Middlesbrough
Both Burnley and Middlesbrough will be fairly satisfied with how their respective seasons have developed thus far, and a Boxing Day win could be huge for either club. With this in mid, we’re expecting both of them to take an attacking approach.
Sean Dyche’s Clarets have performed particularly well at Turf Moor, registering five wins and 14 goals from nine matches. Against a Boro side that has won just once on the road, confidence should be high in the home dressing room.
Having said that, Burnley have shipped 10 goals at home. Aitor Karanka’s visitors, meanwhile, enter the clash on the back of a 3-0 home win which should give Alvaro Negredo and co. every reason to fancy their chances.
Boro have drawn most of their away games this season. Regardless of what way this one goes, we envisage goals for both sides.
BTTS Yes @ 21/20
Fleetwood Town v Bury
In League One, goals have escaped struggling Bury for 12 games on the spin, which has left the Shakers sitting in the relegation zone in spite of a fairly positive start. On a slightly brighter note, however, they have been scoring goals.
The visitors have actually hit two in each of their last three games. Furthermore, their record on the road includes 15 goals in 11 matches. With James Vaughan and Tom Pope capable of finding the net, there’s no reason to think they can’t get on the scoresheet.
Fleetwood are in good form at Highbury, winning seven of 11 matches and scoring 21 in the process. However, they have shipped 12 goals too while their last three league games have all ended in BTTS winners.
We would edge towards a home win but know Bury’s losing streak has to end sooner rather than later. As such, we think the smarter money is with goals.
BTTS Yes @ 7/10
Crewe Alexandra v Carlisle United
Keith Curle’s Cumbrians are undoubtedly one of the strongest teams in League Two and will now be strongly fancied to race their way towards automatic promotion. Even so, the fact that their last five league games have ended in BTTS winners shows that they aren’t invincible at the back. We expect that to show in this Boxing Day encounter.
Crewe are far from perfect at Gresty Road, but they have scored 12 times in 10 matches. Considering that Carlisle have shipped 13 in their 10 on the road, the hosts should fancy their chances through Andrew Kiwomya and Ryan Lowe.
Nevertheless, Carlisle will be the favourites to win this one thanks largely to their immense quality in the attacking third. A return of 16 goals means they’ve lost just once on their travels while Charlie Wyke, Jabo Ibehre, and Shaun Miller should give the visitors more than enough quality to trouble the hosts.
The table would suggest an away win but it might not be as easy as that for Carlisle. Either way, goals should be on the cards.
BTTS Yes @ 8/11
A £10 treble pays £60.30
