Bournemouth V Notts County: Monday 21st December – 19:45 GMT (Sky Sports 2)
English League Two
Matt’s Tip: Under 2.5 Goals – 1.91 WilliamHill
These two both lost on their last outing in the league, but both have high inspirations of promotion from the league come May next year and will be eager to make a quick return to winning ways. The pair did make bright starts to the season but their form has dropped significantly in recent weeks, with Notts County winning just two of their last seven and Bournemouth were battered 5-0 away at Morecambe in their last encounter, surely a demoralising result.
Not even we are sure what exactly is going on at Notts County, with reports that Sven Goran Eriksson is considering a bid for the club outright. However, with ‘The Magpies’ falling to sixth in the league, is buying a club such as Notts County really worthwhile? – Only he Sven himself will know the answer to that. Still, they are a club with some promise and they should be the shakeup come the end of the season providing they string together a few wins along the way, which could be easier said than done.
After a festive spank in their previous outing, losing 5-0 away at Morecambe, Bournemouth will be desperate to put that result to bed as soon as possible but only a win will do to banish their Morecambe nightmares. They have, though, been a lot better at Dean Court, their home venue, and their manager, Eddie Howe, will be confident of attaining all three points as his ‘Cherries’ side have lost just twice in ten outings at home this season, winning last time out in a 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury.
It’s a tough game to call, two teams who like to attack but Bournemouth have struggled to find the goal of late, with a trip to Macclesfield the last time they surpassed the two goal marker in a game, five games ago. In their previous three home fixtures, Bournemouth have managed just one goal, not in each, just one goal as a whole, but they have kept two consecutive clean sheets at Dean Court.
It’s difficult to find a solid case for either side to win the game as neither enter into this busy period with solid form. However, there are plenty of other markets and preference is for a tight, low scoring game. If there are to be goals then it appears Notts County are the ones to get on as they’ve scored in their previous three away trips, scoring six goals. However, Bournemouth don’t tend to concede an awful lot at home and have been struggling themselves in front of goal so ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ could be a decent bet in a game which doesn’t appear to have any stand out selections.
Alternative: Notts County to Beat Bournemouth – 2.65 Expekt.com
Bournemouth have seriously struggled to find the goal in recent outings while Notts County haven’t had such problems, although their defence has left a lot to be desired on most occasions. Still, goals win you games and Notts County could have too much fire-power up front for a blunt Bournemouth. Very attractive odds on an away win, also.
