The English season is back, and we’re hoping the excitement will manifest in a Saturday afternoon fuelled by goals, goals, goals. At least in our three BTTS selections.
We’re backing six teams to all open their accounts on the opening weekend. At odds of just over 9/2, it has to be worth a punt.
Here are our selections.
Sheffield United v Brentford
The Blades are back in the Championship and Chris Wilder’s men will be eager to get their season off to a flyer at Bramall Lane. While they can be quietly optimistic, they shouldn’t expect to have things all their own way against Brentford.
After a very positive pre-season, confidence should be high in the Sheffield United camp. The attacking qualities of Leon Clarke, Billy Sharp, and Ched Evans should give them a great chance of opening their account, especially after they club scored 92 goals in League One last term.
Brentford did scored 33 on their travels last term, though. While Dean Smith’s side has seen changes, top scorer Lasse Vibe remains at Griffin Park. He and his fellow strikers will be eager to get off the mark here.
It should be a great atmosphere to kickstart the season, and we’re backing both teams to score.
Peterborough United v Plymouth Argyle
League One side Peterborough have always been a firm favourite for punters on the BTTS market, and there’s every chance that they’ll provide plenty of entertainment in 2017-18. Let’s hope that will start with goals galore as they welcome newly promoted Plymouth to London Road.
Posh both scored and conceded 62 goals last season, and Grant McCann’s men look a solid bet for goals again this term. Ricky Miller looks a shrewd signing while and co. will get goals over the course of the season. Their main issue, however, will be keeping clean sheets.
Plymouth hit 30 away goals last term and the Pilgrims should start life in League One by finding the target here. The step up in quality may well see them concede, though, which should be a positive thing for our selection.
It’s been six years since the sides last met, so the most recent 2-1 result doesn’t count for much. Nonetheless, a repeat scoreline – at least with regards to the BTTS – wouldn’t surprise us one bit.
Forest Green Rovers v Barnet
Forest Green Rovers embark on life as an EFL club by taking on Barnet at home. While meat not be on the menu at the New Lawn, but we have every reason to think that there will be a feast of goals.
The visiting Bees boast one of this division’s best strikers in the form of John Akinde, and he’ll always give Rossi Eames’ men a good chance of finding the target. Barnet do boast some other good attacking players, including Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Jean Louis Akpa Akpro. Given that the enormity of the occasion could get to the hosts, an away goal looks likely.
This Rovers side do boast quality, though, and could be set for a productive campaign in 2017-18. Dan Wishart and Christian Doidge should fancy their chances of goals this term, and the home crowd would love to see those strikers open their accounts here.
Goals will be the aim of the day. We think that the teams will deliver.
