The year is nearly over, but we’ve hopefully got time for one more winner on the BTTS coupon with this Saturday afternoon treble from the English league fixtures.
If all six of our chosen teams can end 2016 with a goal, we’ll be celebrating almost £50 profit from a simple £10 treble. It would certainly be a great way to see in 2017. Here are our selections.
Leicester City v West Ham United
Slaven Bilic’s Hammers have enjoyed a vast improvement since the returns of Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew, which will give them every hope of ending 2016 on a high as they head to the King Power on New Year’s Eve. However, they’ll be all too aware that the Foxes will be up for this too.
Claudio Ranieri’s champions have really struggled to replicate last season’s form, but they do still score a lot of goals on home turf. Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and Islam Silmani have helped the Foxes hit 15 in nine home games, and they should be confident against an away side that has shipped 18 on the road this term.
Having said that, Leicester have also shipped 10 home goals and enter the clash having lost to Everton on Boxing Day. Conversely, the Hammers hit four past Swansea to continue their revived form. If the visitors pick up a big result here, they could even end 2016 in the top half.
Both teams have reason for optimism, and both are probably stronger in attack than defence. With this in mind, the smart money has to be with goals. A repeat of last season’s 2-2 draw would be fine.
BTTS Yes @ 5/7 with Unibet
Southend United v Charlton Athletic
It has been a topsy-turvy season for Charlton Athletic in League One, and the Addicks will be hoping for far greater stability heading into 2017. While new boss Karl Robinson should provide that, his men should expect nothing less than a difficult test at Roots Hall.
A Boxing Day win at MK Dons will have installed an added sense of confidence while the visitors can also look at a return of 14 goals in 12 away games for inspiration too. In Josh Magennis, Ademola Lookman, and Nicolas Ajose, they certainly have enough quality to cause a few problems in the final third. We would expect them to score.
On the other hand, Phil Brown’s hosts are in great form and will be determined to grab the three points that will guarantee they end 2016 in the top six. The Essex club have hit 20 goals in 12 home games this term and should have no problems in this aspect against an opponent that has conceded 15 on the road.
Whether they can score enough goals to win the match is another question altogether. Quite frankly, as long as they’re joined on the scoreboard by Charlton, we couldn’t care less.
BTTS Yes @ 13/15 with Unibet
Grimsby Town v Blackpool
After picking up respective wins on Boxing Day, both Grimsby and Blackpool will be heading into their final game of 2016 in high spirits. Whichever way this League Two encounter goes, we’ll be anticipating goals at both ends.
After 11 home games, the hosts have both scored and conceded 15 goals. Meanwhile, Blackpool’s 12 away games have produced 16 goals for and 14 against. Those stats alone would suggest that this should be a game of excitement, and those feelings are echoed by their current league positions as the visitors are four points ahead of the hosts.
Both teams are three league games without registering a BTTS winner, which goes against the general trend. Those runs have got to end sooner rather than later, and this clash at Blundell Park is the most likely venue. If the teams can provide the ammunition for Omar Bogle and Kyle Vassell respectively, this selection should be in long before the final whistle.
We wouldn’t want to predict the winner, but both teams should end the year with a goal.
BTTS Yes @ 11/13 with Unibet
A £10 treble returns £59.20 with Unibet
