Norwich vs Sheffield United
Sheff Utd provided plenty of frustration last week, chucking a 2 goal lead at home, even after QPR had gone down to 10 men.
I spoke about how good their squad is, last week, and I stand by that. Players like Hamer, Ahmedhodzic and O’Hare are right at the top end of this level, ann that looked to be paying dividends as The Blades raced into the lead.
But, shades of that dreadful Premier League defence looked to rear their ugly head again, and against an even more dangerous attack, I can’t see Sheff Utd managing a clean sheet here. However, with the quality in attack, It’s hard to see how anyone keeps them at bay.
Norwich are unfortunate to have just 1 point from their opening 2 games, having had the chances to win both, never mind neither.
With Sainz, Sargent and co, they have plenty of firepower. They showed that last season, netting for fun on their run to the play-offs. 63% of their fixtures in the previous campaign saw BTTS land.
Lincoln vs Mansfield
This one looks the pick of the bunch for goals in League One this weekend. There’s been 8 goals in Lincoln’s opening two games (2-3 & 1-2), there’s been 9 in Mansfield’s (1-2 & 3-3).
The Stags played out a brilliant 3-3 with Burton last time out, that was pretty indicative of what to expect from them.
Expansive, adrenaline fuelled football, and going in to each and every game with no fear. They won’t allow teams to dictate how they want to play.
They created a huge 3.89 xG against Burton. With Keillor-Dunn in your side, you’ll always create chances and veteran Lee Gregory has 2 in 2 so far.
Lincoln will feel very hard done by to have come away from nothing against a good Barnsley side. They dominated possession, xG, shots and shots on target but ran out on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat.
That ability to create chances will be too much for a much weaker defence, but question marks remain about their own rearguard. Not only have they conceded 2 in each league game, they also conceded twice to Harrogate in the EFL Cup.
Cheltenham vs Wimbledon
Cheltenham have been a great watch so far, coming out on opposite sides of two 5 goal thrillers so far in the league.
They won 3-2 against Newport, before losing 3-2 to Grimsby.
Their metrics match up nicely, averaging 1.32 xG for, and 1.57 against.
With Ryan Bowman and Matt Taylor there’s experience, and pedigree for goals at this level.
The star though has been 19 year old Joel Colwill, on loan from Cardiff. 2 goals and an assist so far has fans singing his praises.
Wimbledon have looked good so far. They won their opener 4-2 against Colchester, and despite being beaten by Bromley last week, they should be feeling positive.
They had the better of just about every stat in that game, dominating the ball, creating more chances, having more shots, but Bromley were clinical.
That being said, 4 goals conceded in 2 games shows they can be got at.
Both sides look adept in attack, but questionable defensively, I expect goals here – 1.73 for BTTS looks on the generous side.