As we saw during midweek when teams are desperate for results, goals happen at both ends. We think we have found three games where that this going to happen along with one side coming away winners. We landed a 41/1 a few weeks ago and it would be nice to rifle home another one before the end of the season.
Everton v Arsenal – 1.30pm Sunday
Everton to win and BTTS is 15/4
I may end up with egg on my face with this statement but I believe Everton are stronger than Arsenal currently. All areas are fairly equal except one and that is in the last third. Everton have more of a prolific goal scorer in Romelu Lukaku and along with home advantage I can see the Toffees landing a huge win in their late bid for a Champions League spot. Three points will see the Toffees move within one point of Arsenal with a game in hand. This is their most important game of the season thus far and i believe they will turn up and inflict misery on a faltering Gunners outfit. Everton have won their last five games and I am predicting they will make it six.
Arsenal have struggled all season in the big clashes and I consider this to be one of them. The magnitude of this tie requires few words and when the pressure has been on the Gunners have failed. Arsenal come into the tie on poor form having won just three of their last ten games. Arsene Wenger’s side certainly have the quality to find the net and I expect them to do so. Four of their last six games have seen both teams score including ties against Bayern Munich and Manchester City. So even though BTTS looks on the cards I believe a loss looks likely for the North London side.
Nottingham Forest v Millwall – 3.00pm Saturday
Nottingham Forest to win and BTTS is 18/5
Forest have not won in nine games which resulted in the dismissal of manager Billy Davies, however this is the tie where i predict they will end their torrid run of defeats. It has been announced this week that Stuart Pearce will become new Nottingham Forest manager and this will surely give a boost to players and fans that a legend returns to the City Ground. This should be a very open game as Forest can still get in the Play Offs with a good end to their season but they need to stop the rot by winning here. Hope of a Play Off place along with home advantage should see the Tricky Trees through.
On the road Millwall are pretty awful but they are literally fighting for their lives at the foot of the table and will require nothing but three points here. Expect Ian Holloway’s side to go for goals which should mean a consolation as Forest get the better of an open game. The Lions have gone from bad to worse with many fans expecting this to be their year of relegation back to League One after many campaigns of proving the pundits wrong by surviving. If both sides could lose this one, they probably would but with the edge in quality lying with the home side I expect plenty of goals but with at least one more going to the Reds.
Coventry City v MK Dons – 3.00pm Saturday
MK Dons to win and BTTS is 4/1
Coventry City will be looking to set up ready for a promotion push next season after a 10 point deduction left them with a huge disadvantage. This campaign will end with no relegation scare or exciting Play Off finish, and with little to play for I can see MK getting a win. Regardless, City are a very good side still and are good enough to get a goal in what I expect to be quite a very close match. The Sky Blues have been involved in high scoring thrillers all season with 70% of their games seeing three goals or more. MK Dons have conceded in each of their last nine games so I can certainly see Coventry finding the net.
This game is simply huge for MK Dons. A victory will keep them in the hunt for the final Play Off place while a defeat will mean another season in League One is a certainty. Six points away from Peterborough who currently occupy 6th place, three points here may bring them within touching distance. Karl Robinson’s side have won their last four away games and will be preparing meticulously to make it five in a row. As the Dons have so much riding on this game and Coventry so little, I am predicting an open affair with the away side coming out on top.
