While many punters naturally gravitate towards backing a winner, betting on a draw can be a smart and rewarding alternative.
This is because bookmakers typically assign bigger odds to stalemates, which occur less often than victories for either team.
With that in mind, let’s examine this weekend’s fixtures and identify the games where draw outcomes present the best value.
Chesterfield vs Tranmere (Saturday, 12:30)
Draws have been a running theme for Tranmere Rovers in English League Two this season, and that trend could continue when they visit Chesterfield on Saturday.
Darrell Clarke's side have shared the spoils in five of their eight league matches this season, most recently drawing 1-1 with Walsall last weekend.
They now face a Chesterfield side who sit level on points with them and just one place below in the table, suggesting another closely contested encounter could lie in wait.
The fact that two of the Spireites' four home league games this season have ended all square adds to the appeal of backing another draw.
Crewe vs Bristol Rovers (Saturday, 15:00)
Given the number of draws Crewe Alexandra have been involved in this season, it's difficult to look beyond another stalemate when they host Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
The hosts have been the fourth tier's draw specialists this term, with last week's stalemate with Rotherham extending their remarkable run to six successive league draws.
Bristol Rovers have yet to draw a league game this season, but Crewe's record makes this fixture worth a closer look.
What’s more, the Gas had to work hard for their narrow 1-0 home win over Exeter last weekend and have lost three of their four away league games this season, so an overdue stalemate could be on the cards.
North Macedonia vs Scotland (Saturday, 19:45)
There could be fine margins when Scotland travel to North Macedonia in the Nations League on Saturday night.
The Scots remain a work in progress under new manager Sebastien Pocognoli, having followed a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia with a 3-0 home defeat to Switzerland on Tuesday night.
As for North Macedonia, they have lost their opening two games, leaving both nations desperate for points even at this early stage of the league phase.
The fear of losing this one could outweigh the will to win, making the draw a strong runner in Skopje.
The hosts held Wales to a 1-1 draw at home during World Cup qualifying, and a repeat of that scoreline wouldn't come as a major surprise on Saturday night.
Weekend Draw Treble
- Chesterfield vs Tranmere
- Crewe vs Bristol Rovers
- North Macedonia vs Scotland
- Treble pays 42/1 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
GambleAware