The midweek action continues with a fantastic set of fixtures on Wednesday night and we’re turning our attentions to domestic cup action, as well as the Champions League play-odds, for our BTTS treble.
We’ve picked six teams to all find the target in a 5/1 treble and hope it will provide us with a timely midweek boom. The nature of the contests mean that all teams must be out for goals, so let’s hope that excitement precipitates into goals.
Good luck!
Barnsley V Everton
While the majority of second round Capital One Cup matches were on Tuesday’s schedule, there is one match taking place on Wednesday night. We think it could be a game of intense drama as Barnsley welcome Everton to Oakwell.
Lee Johnson’s men have started the new season in fairly decent form. The Tykes sit 10th in League One with seven points from a possible 12 while they also claimed an away win on penalties at Scunthorpe in the final round. The hosts boast six goals from their opening five matches and will be hoping to take advantage of what is likely to be a weakened Everton.
Nonetheless, the Toffees will be expected to score. Roberto Martinez’s men were brilliant in their away win at Southampton and will be eager to bounce back from their weekend home defeat to Manchester City too.
While a second choice defence could concede, we think the fringe attacking players will want to make an impact for the visitors. We’re backing both teams to score.
BTTS Yes @ 8/11
CSKA Moscow V Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon might take a 2-1 lead to the Russian capital for this crucial Champions League play-off match, but CSKA’s away goal will put pressure on Jorge Jesus’s men. The first goal will have a huge significance, and we think both teams will be out to get it.
If the Portuguese visitors can strike first, they will feel very confident about progressing. With the likes of Islam Silmani and Bryan Ruiz amongst their ranks, there’s no reason that the visitors cannot find the target.
However, a trip to Russia is never easy and the hosts will be desperate to strike first as it would put the tie back in their favour. Leonid Slutsky’s men will be looking to the firepower of Ahmed Musa and Seydou Doumbia for goals, whilst midfielder Zoran Tosic could pose a real danger to the Sporting defence too.
It’s set to be an intense battle that could go either way at the Khimiki Arena. Whatever happens, we’ll be hoping for goals.
BTTS Yes @ 4/6
Partizan Belgrade V BATE Borisov
After claiming a 1-0 home win at the Borisov Arena last week’s home leg, Belarusian side BATE will be confident about completing the job in Serbia. However, the hosts might have something to say about that.
Partizan will have been disappointed not to get on the scoresheet last week, but strikers Valeri Bojinov and Abou Oumarou should fancy their chances on home turf. After all, BATE conceding a shed load of goals in last year’s group phase. Zoran Milinkovic’s men have no choice but to chase a goal, and we think they will get it.
Nevertheless, the visitors boast great experience over the past few seasons and should still seal a place in the group phase. Aleksandar Yermaovich’s men will pose a threat in the attacking third and star man Vitali Rodionov should be ready to convert any chances that fall his way.
BATE should progress, but they may be made to work hard for their place in the Champions League proper. We’re backing Partizan to score, but think those effort will all be in vain.
BTTS Yes @ 6/5
A £10 treble pays £63.33
