The final round of the Football League still has loose ends to tie up!
With the Championship, League’s one and two wrapping up this weekend, League one will play out their games at 12:30 Sunday, whereas the Championship and League two finalises positions on Saturday. With the Premiership, Championship and League two to dissect, we have found three games, where simply goals are a must!
Our three matches contain a Premier League, Championship and League two game and pays 5.90/1 with BetVictor
Aston Villa Vs Newcastle
The toon army still have life in them pulling themselves out of relegation a point clear of bitter rivals Sunderland, who have a marginal goal difference favourably in their quarter. Rafa Benitez has managed to get his men together enough to pull off a credible recovery in the life of a Premier League side.
The visitors Aston Villa have been in the wrong end of the league for many seasons and this is the year where one of the Premier League originals departs after since its inception back in 1992. Villa are looking to stop the rot and make their losing bug not carry forward into Championship football next term, but on the will to win you have to favour Newcastle, who look for a fifth game unbeaten.
The basis for Newcastle’s success is their scoring ability, which has seen a goal in all of the last seven. Villa’s string of results implies they have made a concerted effort to minimise embarrassment and was unlucky to be pipped at the hands to Watford last weekend.
Taking the view that Villa now might be looking at making opponents work for any points makes me wonder whether goals will occur in the game. On the balance of probability in my view, I think the two goal mark is highly possible, and three gives us confidence! This is on the basis both sides in three of the last four home and away respectively has seen three or more.
If this game goes a similar way to their reverse fixture, both sides will need to work hard for the win as the game ended a stalemate with both netting. Newcastle’s recent results imply they react accordingly to the level of opponents and believe the last few games that Villa have attacked quite well. I feel with bookies a little undecided on this, that with safety on the line, I can see both scoring, but Newcastle winning this. You could certainly cover the win to nil and Newcastle and both teams to score as I cannot endeavour Villa breaking their duck here. Three or more goals I think is fair given the price and good luck to the Toon army this weekend.
Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals – 10/11 William Hill
Middlesbrough Vs Brighton
There is no doubt that both sides wobbled in their last games, which has meant the permutations state Brighton have to win to get automatic promotion at least, whereas Middlesbrough hold the cards as a champion. Taking into account that a draw or a win will see them playing Premier League football next season, one side will end their season on Saturday! The other will have to endure the play offs with Sheffield Wednesday, Hull and Derby. We know Hull and Derby will contest semi-final one, so Wednesday will await their opponents.
Had the wobble of Aitor Karanka’s men not led to three straight draws resulting in at least one win and remaining unbeaten, we would not be in this position, but Brighton have the million(s) prize on offer for winning in 90 mins come lunchtime Saturday. Recall earlier in the season, Chris Hughton’s Brighton went over half the campaign before defeat and five defeats with a game to play have a fair chance of promotion. They have drawn over a third of their games, which may turn out to be their nemesis.
However I feel the game will begin tense, as the Boro have their strategy to defend and Brighton must score. Now dealing with a reaction will be the movement of this game. Brighton’s seven from the last eight has seen three or more with the hosts bagging five of the last eight. All of the last four Brighton away has led to victory and all with three or more. Now with both undefeated in the last twenty-two combined (nine- Middlesbrough; thirteen – Brighton) both has demonstrated an ability to maintain a position and would be surprised if this game ends without goals. Feeling like the game will see action does err on the side of yes as Brighton has a clear objective to win. Can Middlesbrough end on a high of conceding just seven at the riverside this term? You have heard of the form book being thrown out the window; you may see a feisty game here!
Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals – 11/10 BetVictor
Bristol Rovers Vs Dagenham and Redbridge
How surreal that the two places with three sides looking to pocket are all at home in the finale with all three winning around the 27/20 mark with Skybet (wins for Accrington, Oxford and Bristol Rovers) will see Rovers contest the play offs but play a side with the third worse defence in the league all season namely Dagenham and Redbridge.
Darrell Clarke’s Rovers will look to end their campaign with nine successive wins at the Memorial Stadium and will welcome John Still’s Dagenham, who will need to find their feet in the Conference next term.
Looking at the home and away form, all of the last four Rovers games has seen three or more, with three from four Redbridge games on the road, where their form has suffered this season. Dagenham have scored a weighted proportion on the road, which will aid this bet coming home and endeavour John Still will send his men out to upset Clarke’s lads although with the scoring ability from both are you surprised bookmakers weigh this 65%- over – 35% under roughly?
Rovers won the reverse game to nil and will look at sealing the job on Saturday and sitting back to see if Stevenage or Wycombe can do them a favour in stalling their opponents quests.
It all comes down to a confirmed front row seat for Soccer Saturday this weekend to see the action unfold!
Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals – 8/15 Paddy Power
