The Premier League season is only a week old, but the Football League is well underway. With teams starting to settle into their rhythm, we’ll be looking to capitalise on Saturday with our second BTTS winning treble in three weeks.
We’ve picked three games that we think will bring goals for both clubs. Results are irrelevant as long as the six teams score. Whether you’re watching Soccer Saturday or the BT Sport one (obviously you’ll be tuned into Sky Sports), let’s hope for an afternoon of intense entertainment.
At least in our three chosen games.
Blackburn Rovers V Burton Albion
Shane Duffy’s Wednesday night against Cardiff pretty much sums up Blackburn’s start to the campaign. But Owen Coyle can be optimistic about enjoying a first league win with the Championship club as Rovers welcome newly promoted Burton to Ewood Park.
Blackburn aren’t quite the BTTS force that there were with Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede in attack, but a strikeforce of Danny Graham and Anthony Stokes can inspired confidence from a team that has at least found the target in three of four competitive matches this term.
Unfortunately for the early season stragglers, they cannot keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile, Nigel Clough’s men are still riding the momentum built from last season’s promotion, so Lukas Adkins and co will fancy their chances.
We wouldn’t want to predict the winner of this one unless we could do it in a Derren Brown predicting the lottery after the draw has happened fashion. However, we do fancy goals. Back both team to score.
BTTS Yes @ 4/5 with Unibet
Southend United V Bristol Rovers
League One newcomers Bristol Rovers have started 2016-17 with three straight BTTS winners in the league. As Darrell Clarke’s side make the trip to Roots Hall, there are strong suggestions that they’ll be in for another here.
The Pirates have only picked up one win, but Matt Taylor and Jermaine Easter have already been amongst the goals this term and will be eager to increase their tallies against a team that last registered a home shutout in February.
Phil Brown’s side finally ended their seven game losing streak with an emphatic 3-0 win against Sheffield United on Tuesday night, and will be confident about building on that success in spite of Nile Ranger’s injury.
Southend have encountered problems in their bid to replace former goalkeeper Dan Bentley, though, which is something Bristol can take capitalise on. A score draw wouldn’t surprise us one bit.
BTTS Yes @ 11/12 with Unibet
Portsmouth V Colchester United
Paul Cook’s pre-season title favourites couldn’t have pictured a worse start to their League Two campaign even in their worst nightmares. Two points, with one coming against 10-man Carlisle, simply isn’t good enough and Pompey fans will already be fearing another mundane campaign at Fratton Park. But they could kickstart their campaign with a big win over Colchester – not that it will be easy.
Portsmouth’s attacking unit of Noel Hunt, Michael Smith and Milan Lalkovic does have goals in it. Moreover, they should be confident about getting on the scoresheet against an away side that conceded goals at an incredible rate in League One last year before conceding five in two competitive away games this term.
Colchester have started the season well under new boss John McGrealc, picking up seven points from nine to put themselves amongst the early frontrunners. Strikers Ben Dickenson and Kurtis Guthrie are already enjoying a decent time in front of goal too, and they won’t be at all fazed by making the trip to Portsmouth.
Despite the poor start, Portsmouth should score. Nevertheless, the hosts are in a vulnerable position and the high-flying Eagles can pounce. Expect goals at both ends.
BTTS Yes @ 8/9 with Unibet
A £10 treble pays £65.30 with Unibet
