Both Teams to Score Treble Saturday 2nd of April – Take the Devon Derby for Goals Galore

The internationals weren’t a bad hunting ground for goals over the last week or so, but with Premier League and Championship football returning to the fixture list this Saturday we have plenty of places to look for a Both Teams to Score acca.

Exeter v Plymouth

I’m starting with a selection from League Two as Plymouth make the short 40 mile journey to St James’ Park this Saturday to face Exeter in the Devon Derby.

It’s a meeting between two sides who both have hopes of glory this season with Plymouth sitting 3rd and looking to gain an automatic promotion spot and Exeter sitting 11th but only 5 points off the playoffs. On the table alone you’d think that Plymouth come into this game with the edge but it’s the hosts who are undefeated in 7 games now and are putting a really decent charge together for a chance to move back to League One after 4 seasons at this level.

Exeter have scored in their last 9 consecutive league games, but have also conceded in 6 of those. It’s when you look at their home form though that you really see the goals are flowing. Their last 8 games in a row here at St James’ Park have resulted in both teams finding the net. Overall in the league this season they’ve found the net in 16 of their 19 home games whilst also conceding in 15 of those.

Plymouth looked to be sailing to another victory against York last weekend when they were leading 3-0, but after conceding 2 scrappy goals it was a nervy finish. Their record for goals isn’t quite as convincing as Exeter’s but that 3-2 against a poor York side does give me confidence in this selection.

Their previous meeting this season resulted in both teams finding the net, as have 8 of the last 10 Devon derbies here at St James’ Park and I’m taking a punt on that becoming 9 in 11 this Saturday.

Fulham v MK Dons

Arguably one of the biggest fixtures in terms of survival this weekend is at Craven Cottage as Fulham take on MK Dons. The two sides sit 21st and 22nd respectively and are separated by just 1 point making this a proper relegation 6 pointer scrap.

The fact that both sides simply cannot afford to lose this game surely plays into our hands a little on the goals front, but the fact that Fulham are involved is enough for me to get involved anyway. There’s a pretty incredible stat about Fulham at home this season in that they have conceded more home goals than any other Championship side, but have also scored more goals than 18 of the other 23 sides in the league. If that doesn’t give you a bit of confidence in this bet then nothing will.

The hosts have both scored and conceded in their last 4 games in a row in the Championship but MK Dons have been pretty decent in front of goal recently too. They’ve had 2 difficult fixtures against Brighton and Hull but have scored in both of those games. They also conceded in both of them as well though and have been pretty shocking on the road this season if we’re honest.

When the two met at Stadium MK earlier this season the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw. A similar result this weekend would do absolutely no favours to either side given their need for points, but it would do us a favour as we’d take the win on this leg of the treble.

Bournemouth v Man City

There’s quite a few reasons why I fancy a few goals this weekend in Dorset so stick with me while I try to explain those to you folks!

Firstly, I learned a pretty incredible stat about Bournemouth while doing my research and that is that 7 of the top 8 sides have already visited the Vitality Stadium this season and Arsenal are the only team to come away with a clean sheet. The Cherries usually turn up against the big boys and although they suffered a 5-1 loss at The Etihad earlier this season, they still managed the all important goal we need today.

City have hardly been leaking goals or scoring for fun recently but I’m hoping the international break changes that. But their poor away form has been well documented this season and with only 2 wins in their last 10 on the road, Bournemouth could well find the net and in turn force City to have to score. Especially when you consider that Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany will both miss the trip South this weekend!

Another reason to back this bet is simply that Bournemouth have less international players than Man City, meaning they are well rested. Many of the City squad have been travelling for their respective international friendlies and qualifiers and those games can take their toll.

All of this sees me pointing to a Bournemouth win of some sort I know that, and I’m not ruling it out to be honest, but if they do find the net I very much doubt they can hold off the firepower of Man City, making it a decent choice for Both Teams to Score backers in my eyes.