This would normally be a pretty quiet Tuesday for domestic football, but with 10 FA Cup 3rd round replays to get stuck into, as well as some non league games on the fixture list it seems a perfect time to have another little go on the both teams to score coupon.
With Sam normally doing the honours for this bet, I’d better make it a good one if I’m not to embarrass myself; I am clinging to the fact that my last BTTS post was a winner even if my treble was reduced to a single! Here are my fancies for Tuesday 14th January:
Preston v Ipswich
FA Cup 3rd round replay 7.45pm
Both teams to score odds – 4/5 BetVictor
Preston will feel this replay is there for the taking after collecting a 1-1 draw at Portman Road to earn them a 2nd shot at a berth in the 4th round.
Plying their trade in the league below their opponents, they showed superb grit when going 1-0 down to their Championship opponents Ipswich. However, the lead was short lived; veteran striker Kevin Davies equalised just 4 minutes after Ipswich’s opener on 38 minutes, and that’s the way it stayed.
Both teams played at the weekend in their respective leagues; Preston lost 2-0 at Wolves and Ipswich lost 3-1 at home to QPR; adding to their record of keeping just 3 clean sheets in their last 14 games in all competitions. Both teams have scored in 5 of Ipswich’s last 6 games.
Looking at more statistics, Preston have only kept 4 clean sheets in their last 15 homes games in all competitions, and with Ipswich scoring in all but 3 of their last 15 games on the road you’ve got to be pretty confident that both teams will find the back of the net in this intriguing FA Cup replay.
Forest Green v Grimsby
Conference Premier – 7.45pm
Both teams to score odds – 4/6 BetVictor
This game looks assured of a few goals. Admittedly I’d be very hard pushed to choose a winner in this very even looking clash but BTTS is a very confident choice.
Forest Green were very highly regarded as possible champions pre season, but things just haven’t clicked for the Midlands club. Halfway through the season they sit in 15th position in the table on 34 points, although a burst of results could see them right back in the play-off mix.
Opponents Grimsby will be much happier with how things are going. They are in 5th position on 44 points, knocked League 2 Scunthorpe out of the FA Cup, and are undefeated in their last 6 in all competitions; scoring 11 goals in the process.
This could lead you to fancy the away win, but when you look at Forest Green’s home record you might be put off a little bit. They’ve picked up 13 points in their last 5 at home (scoring 10 goals), and have only failed to hit the net in 1 of their 12 home games (a 0-0 draw with leaders Luton Town back in August)
Grimsby beat Forest Green 3-1 in the reverse fixture back in October, so the promise of goals looks very likely to come off. Both teams to score all the way here.
Plymouth v Port Vale
FA Cup 3rd round replay – 7.45pm
Both teams to score odds – 31/40 BetVictor
Plymouth did a fantastic job of salvaging a replay at Vale Park. 2-0 down away from home to opponents playing in a higher division, The Pilgrims didn’t let that stop them scoring twice to level the game and then almost go on to win it.
Vale were guilty of underestimating their opponents and are very lucky to still be in the competition. I’m still reeling from this result as I had tipped Port Vale to win at what I though were great value odds. However this time I’m pretty confident this game will work in my favour.
Vale will want to make things up to fans after their display 10 days ago, while Plymouth will be brimming with self belief that they can pull this off in front of home fans.
It’s worth noting that Plymouth are undefeated in their last 6 games. There’s no way they’re going to simply roll over to League 1 Port Vale.