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We’ve already looked at which teams can increase your chance of winning a Both Teams To Score bet and now it’s time to find out which sides should be avoided. While the appearance of Stoke and Swansea in this list hardly comes as a surprise, the same can’t be said for Manchester United’s inclusion. However, there’s no arguing with the stats and without any more ado, let’s get down to business.
Stoke City (13/30 matches)
Well, quelle surprise. Stoke City are the side who have been involved in the fewest matches where both teams have scored – a paltry 13 in their 30 league matches.
This should not come as a shock to anybody. Scoring goals has been a continuing problem for the Potters ever since Tony Pulis won them promotion to the top flight in 2008, but the statistics still make for grim reading: Stoke have scored just 181 goals in their 182 matches since getting into the Premier League.
Only rock-bottom QPR have scored fewer than Stoke’s 27 league goals this term, and no side has fired more blanks than the Potters’ total of 13, eight of which have come on their travels. On the plus side, their mean defence – only four teams have let in more goals and only three sides have kept more clean sheets – means that a chronic lack of goals doesn’t spell disaster for Stoke. But combine the two factors together and Stoke are a no-go when it comes to BTTS.
Swansea City (14/30 matches)
With a Capital One cup triumph and a comfortable Premier League campaign, it has been a great season for Swansea City – but it hasn’t been a great season for punters backing them in the BTTS market.
Only 14 of Swansea’s 30 games have seen both defences breached, and the reason for that is their lack of attacking prowess. That may sound contrary when you consider the season Michu has had, but the Swans don’t score often enough to make them a good shout in this bet.
Their 40 goals puts them 11th in the goalscoring charts, but Swansea have failed to find the net in 12 games this season – only Stoke have scored in fewer games. This problem is particularly acute away from home: City have scored just 13 goals in 15 games – five of which came on the opening day at QPR – and have failed to score in nine of their away trips.
Only four of their away games have seen both teams score – easily the fewest in the division.
Manchester United (15/29 matches)
This may come as a slight surprise given their swashbuckling start to the season where goals were flying in at both ends, but Manchester United are best avoided when it comes to backing in the BTTS coupon.
United’s early season defensive troubles were well documented and all the evidence was there: both teams found the net in eight of the Red Devils’ first 11 league fixtures as clean sheets were hard to come by for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
But those days are now well and truly over. Only rivals Manchester City and Chelsea have conceded fewer than United’s 31 goals and have kept more clean sheets than the ten Ferguson’s side have managed. The Premier League leaders have now kept five shut-outs in succession, and with the title to wrap up I would bank on a few more between now and the end of the season, making them a poor choice for BTTS.
Once again, the evidence is clear: If you’re backing both teams to score in a match, think twice if the game involves, Stoke, Swansea or Man Utd.
