TWO of Europe’s most in-form strikers will be in opposition at Goodison Park at lunchtime and Romelu Lukaku, who has scored in six consecutive Premier League games is 20-1 to match the previous record of 10 by Ruud van Nistelrooy and 66-1 to equal Jamie Vardy’s tally of 11.
Vardy, who ended his one-game drought against champions Chelsea on Monday, is 5-2 to outscore Lukaku today and 4-6 to do so over the season. The deadly double act of Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have already scored 26 top-flight goals and with that pair and Lukaku on the pitch surely there will be goals.
Fans of goals latched on early to the fact while Claudio Ranieri’s side didn’t know how to defend they packed punch up front. Twenty games in and they’ve netted in every league and cup game this season and most have seen both score and over 2.5 match goals.
Bookies aren’t daft and both to score at Goodison today is a best 4-7 with Paddy Power and over 2.5 goals pays 4-6 at Paddy Power. I’ll happily take a punt on over 3.5 at 13-8 with Betfred.
It could come down to Lukaku v Vardy and Mahrez. I tipped Leicester not to lose and Vardy to score against Chelsea and the 2-1 success was the final nail in Jose Mourinho’s coffin.
Both sides are in form – Everton are unbeaten in eight – so take a draw and both to score at 18-5 with McBookie.
Elsewhere it’s been a while since I backed Newcastle but after surprise wins against Liverpool and Spurs they’re big favourites at home to Aston Villa and I’m on them at 21-20 with William Hill.
Man United have conceded just one goal in their last nine at Old Trafford so best bet could be Louis van Gaal’s side to win to nil at 27-20 at Betway.
Chelsea start life without Jose Mourinho at home to Sunderland and I expect them to pick up a convincing victory. I’ll be on the Blues minus one at 10-11 with Paddy Power and expect players to put in a performance for coach Steve Holland and manager-in-waitng Guus Hiddink who could be at the match.
Spurs let a lot of people down when they were beaten by Newcastle but back on the road I expect them to win at Southampton.
In the Championship I like QPR at Bristol City, Burnley against Charlton and Nottingham Forest at home to MK Dons.
Burton at home to Doncaster and Morecambe at Jackie McNamara’s York are among the best best in League One and Two.
I don't feel under pressure to repeat last week's four aways success but wouldn't it be nice. Instead of 159-1 my attempt pays 66-1 and that's still ambitious.
Spurs and QPR are in there with a revitalised Swindon who are going for four wins in a row at Shrewsbury. And I complete the line with Ayr at Peterhead.
I have picked two Super Singles from League Two with Exeter first up at home to a Luton side who have lost four in a row.
Last week Stevenage at 9-2 were one of my aways at Wimbledon and I'm going against the Londoners again. Newport are in good form and I don't see any reason why they should be as big as 5-2 at home to Wimbledon.
Bets to Consider
Lukaku to score
Man Utd to win to nil
Chelsea -1
Newcastle
Swindon
Exeter
Newport
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Spurs for me
It’s not a lunch time kick off
Maybe 3pm on a Saturday is lunchtime for Mr F after a long week with the Daily Record ;)
The first paragraph of the write-up had me considering a Vardy/Lukaku ATS double. Coral go about 11/2 for that by my calculations but they won’t let me do it. Singles only. Why’s that, then? Perfectly reasonable bet, I’d have thought.
Skybet will have that on their specials stagger
ah thanks a lot, ourwullie. Don’t have a skybet account but it’s given me the idea to look at Coral’s match specials and see if it’s there. Cheers.