Goals Galore: Grab a 5/1 win on these Championship thrillers
In his latest column, Rich Hook identifies the games at Oakwell, Ashton Gate and the Riverside as being most likely to feature over 2.5 goals.
The Championship season may only be a few games old, but looking at the table ahead of the international break showed that the pace-setters were already established, both in terms of the race for promotion and a propensity for delivering entertainment. Games involving each of the six teams in this latest treble – Barnsley, Blackpool, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town – have averaged over three goals so far.
With some extra rest and late transfer window signings added into the mix, there’s no reason why that won’t continue this weekend and odds just shy of 5/1 for this over 2.5 goals treble represent excellent value.
New customers using the free £20 bet available when registering with bwin stand to win £119.77 if all three games produce three or more goals – and here’s why I reckon they will.
Over 2.5 goals in Barnsley v Blackpool @ 3/4
| Champions League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dortmund | 1-1 | Bayern Munich | £150.00 | (13/2) |
| Dortmund | 1-2 | Bayern Munich | £160.00 | (7/1) |
| Dortmund | 0-2 | Bayern Munich | £175.00 | (31/4) |
| Dortmund win | £84.00 | (16/5) | ||
| Draw | £82.00 | (31/10) | ||
| Bayern Munich win | £34.00 | (7/10) | ||
Blackpool are the early Championship leaders and have shown how they intend to mount their title bid, with a 6-0 win over Ipswich among their early results.
Ian Holloway’s men were also the over 2.5 goal kings of the division last term, with an impressive 32 of their 49 fixtures (including the play-offs) delivering three or more strikes.
A Barnsley defence that’s already shipped eight goals will struggle to contain Thomas Ince and company but they do have Welsh international Craig Davies offering an equally big threat at the other end.
The corresponding fixture in 2011/12 finished 3-1 in favour of the Seasiders and it would be no surprise if another goal-packed afternoon materialises at Oakwell.
Over 2.5 goals in Bristol City v Blackburn @ 87/100
Last season, Blackburn’s free-scoring attack (the seventh best in the Premier League) just wasn’t able to keep up with their second-worst defence in the league, but one division down they appear to have the balance right.
Their seven goals have been enough to earn eight points and the joint lead – a position they will hope to at least hold on to after visiting a Bristol City side which conceded the fourth-highest number of goals in last season’s Championship.
A whopping 13 of Rovers’ 19 away games in the top flight last term contained three or more goals and a repeat performance this weekend looks a solid addition to the treble.
Over 2.5 goals in Middlesbrough v Ipswich @ 83/100
Ipswich were virtually a guarantee of goals last season, with their games featuring over 150 of them in all competitions.
While they’ve settled down slightly this term, the Tractor Boys will still fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet against a Boro side who appear to be playing a more open style this term.
Tony Mowbray’s men were prime candidates for an under 2.5 goals treble on any given weekend for much of last season, but their two home games so far have yielded eight goals – a 3-2 win over Burnley and a 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace – and the goals could fly in at both ends when Ipswich visit Teesside.
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