While many punters naturally gravitate towards backing a winner, betting on the 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.
Burton vs Exeter (Saturday, 15:00)
Burton’s encounter with Exeter in English League One on Saturday afternoon could be a nervy affair, which brings the draw firmly into the equation. The two sides are among six currently scrapping to avoid the final relegation spot in the third tier, so the stakes are high heading into this clash.
The hosts go into the match having drawn three of their last four league outings, the most recent of which was a 1-1 stalemate away at Peterborough last weekend. It’s been a similar story for Exeter in recent weeks, with the spoils shared in three of their last five matches, most notably a 3-3 draw with Stockport last time out in which goalkeeper Jack Bycroft scored a dramatic late equaliser.
Given that this season’s reverse fixture ended 1-1 just over a month ago, all the signs point towards another evenly matched contest at the Pirelli Stadium.
West Ham vs Everton (Saturday, 15:00)
Fresh from playing out a drab 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace on Monday night, another low-scoring stalemate could be in store when West Ham host Everton on Saturday afternoon. That was the Hammers’ fourth draw across their last eight Premier League matches, three of which have come at home.
As for Everton, their latest game to finish level came away at Brentford, where they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw a fortnight ago, before suffering a narrow defeat in the Merseyside derby last weekend, conceding with virtually the final kick after looking set to pick up another point.
The case for siding with an all-square affair in this capital clash is strengthened by the fact the two sides also played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Chelsea vs Leeds (Sunday, 15:00)
Draws have been something of a recurring theme in Leeds’ recent matches, and that pattern could well continue when they face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday. Daniel Farke’s side arrive for this clash on the back of an entertaining 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday night, taking their tally to a sizeable 11 stalemates from their last 20 top-flight outings.
One of those came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in February, when the two sides played out a 2-2 draw of their own. This time around it may not be as open, given what’s at stake, but another honours even enounter is certainly not out of the question, particularly with Chelsea desperate to arrest their alarming slump in form.
Weekend Draw Treble
- Burton vs Exeter
- West Ham vs Everton
- Chelsea vs Leeds
- 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
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