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10 of the 12 games involving U21 sides in the EFL Trophy this season have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals.

Sunderland have seen over 3.5 goals and both teams score in all four of their Premier League 2 games so far this term, and three of those four games have actually seen over 5.5 goals.

The bet has landed in 6/8 games this season for Accrington, and though they’re heavy odds-on favourites they will keep in mind their trip to Swindon this weekend - Accy are currently only one point above the relegation zone so that’ll be taking priority.

Leeds U21s saw this bet land in 2/3 EFL Trophy games last season, scoring three goals as they exited the competition at the group stage.

It has also landed in 5/6 this term, including two games against National League opposition - losing 5-2 at Boreham Wood and winning 3-2 at Solihull Moors in the National League Cup.

Five of the last seven Barnsley games have seen BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals, including four games in a row in the middle of that run.

Barnsley have kept just one clean sheet from 10 games this season, and though they’re heavy odds-on favourites to win the game, they’ll have one eye on Saturday’s trip to Bradford which could open the door for Leeds to spring an upset.

Forest U21s have scored in all six of their games so far this season, and can threaten in this one, despite Burton coming in as heavy odds-on favourites, with the hosts having one eye on Saturday’s long away trip to Plymouth Argyle.

This bet has landed in four of Forest’s six games so far this term, including in their last National League Cup game when they were beaten 2-1 at Scunthorpe.

BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals has landed in six of eight games for Burton and they are yet to keep a clean sheet in 2026/27.

This bet has landed in two of Ipswich U21s’ last three and they’re yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

They’ve scored six goals across their last three games, but are rightfully massive underdogs as they prepare to visit the holders.

Luton have only managed one clean sheet in their last seven games and will be more focussed on the league than the Trophy this season, Jack Wilshere’s job security hinges on league results more than it did last term having inherited an underperforming side.

Luton have conceded in the first half in each of their last three games.

Bromley have comfortably the worst defensive record in League One this season, and the bookies are giving Brentford’s youngsters some respect, priced shorter than 2/1 to win on their travels.

The bet has landed in three of Bromley’s last five and they have only kept one clean sheet from eight attempts this season, which came on the League One opening weekend.

BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals has landed in three of Brentford’s last four, and they’ve scored two or more goals in three of those four as well.

Real Madrid W are yet to lose a game this season and have won three of their opening four games domestically, netting eight goals in the process and conceding just three.

Their strong form should see them have enough to win either half against PSG here, a side they beat 2-1 on the road last year. 

PSG W aren’t the dominant force in French football as they are in the men’s game, Lyon are the strongest side so PSG W are still very much trying to find a way to dominate in Europe, but this game has come too soon for that long term goal.

This Bayern side are so dominant at home, they’ve won all five of their games domestically this term and each of their nine games more widely.

Three of their opening five games domestically have been at home with Bayern W scoring 11 goals across these matches and conceding just three. They won 11 of their 13 matches in the Frauen Bundesliga last season, scoring 41 goals and remarkably conceding just four.

This bet has landed in each of Bayern W’s  last 10 matches, with the last game in which it failed to land being against Barcelona W - who are the best side in Europe. I can see Bayern W winning at least one half here given their imperious home record. 

These sides faced off last year in a meeting that saw this selection land as Real Madrid W emerged 2-1 winners over PSG as the away side - with that game seeing 28 shots in total.

Real Madrid have avoided defeat in each of their last 12 matches, the last side to beat them was Barcelona in the Champions League last season. 

Real Madrid W ran out 3-1 winners over Valencia W last time out, and should feel confident of taking something from this game in front of their own fans. They’ve seen this selection land in three of their last five matches.

PSG have made a strong start domestically having won their opening three games to nil, but this assignment represents a much tougher challenge against a Real Madrid side who have plenty to prove. 

These are two of the best sides in Europe and this should be a really entertaining game with both having real scoring power and not being too fussed about keeping sides out.

Bayern W have won each of their last nine matches across all competitions, winning four of their last five games despite conceding. They ran out 5-2 winners over Koln most recently, highlighting their chaotic style which trusts their forward players.

Manchester City are just as prolific in forward areas and have won each of their last seven matches, seeing 3+ goals in six of these games. They ran out 4-2 winners over Liverpool last time out, and won’t be afraid of Bayern’s dominant record at home given their recent form. 

10 of the 12 matches involving U21 sides in the EFL Trophy so far this season have seen BTTS land.

It has been a trend since they were introduced into the competition and doesn’t look to be dropping off anytime soon.

This is the opening game of the competition for both sides, Sunderland have seen BTTS and over 3.5 goals land in 4/4 Premier League 2 outings this season, with three of those games going over 5.5 goals.

Accy have seen BTTS in 6/8 so far this term and will be looking for improvement in the final third on Tuesday evening following a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Newport at the weekend.

Forest U21s saw BTTS in 2/3 in the competition last season, and conceded two goals in every game.

Burton have seen BTTS land in 7/8 matches so far this season, surprising a few to be sat in mid table in League One having been pre-season favourites to finish bottom of the division.

Burton are heavily odds-on for the game, but have one of their longest away trips of the season at the weekend, at Plymouth Argyle, and, therefore, may look to rotate in prioritising that clash - with third tier survival being their priority this term.

Forest U21s have scored in 6/6 games so far this season.

Brentford U21s have seen BTTS in 3/4 outings this season, they’ve conceded two or more goals in all of those games and seen over 4.5 goals in three of them.

Bromley are odds-on to win the game and have seen BTTS in 5/8 this season, with some serious defensive issues of their own.

They have the worst defence in League One by four clear goals after seven games, and they’ve seen BTTS land in the first half of their last two.

This game presents a good opportunity to build on their much needed 2-1 win over Huddersfield at the weekend, but their trip to MK Dons on Saturday will take priority as they aim to stay up in League One.

10 of the 12 matches involving U21 sides in the EFL Trophy so far this season have seen BTTS land.

It has been a trend since they were introduced into the competition and doesn’t look to be dropping off anytime soon.

This is the opening game of the competition for both sides, Sunderland have seen BTTS and over 3.5 goals land in 4/4 Premier League 2 outings this season, with three of those games going over 5.5 goals.

Accy have seen BTTS in 6/8 so far this term and will be looking for improvement in the final third on Tuesday evening following a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Newport at the weekend.

It’s been a pretty flat start to the season for MK Dons in League One, but this EFL Trophy clash should give them a good platform to get back to winning ways after drawing six of their opening seven games in League One this term.

The obvious positive from this opening run of games is that MK Dons are doing enough to avoid defeat. Ironically, one of the two sides below them in the table in Wigan have been the only side to beat MK Dons this season.

The underlying numbers would suggest that the home side here should have won enough games to be sitting mid-table when looking at their xG totals. They take on a Crawley side that sit rock bottom of League Two having lost five of their seven matches this season.

They’ve conceded 13 goals across these games, scoring just six - which is a tally that is unlikely to bother MK Dons too much. I’d expect both sides to rotate, but the home side should have more quality as the higher ranked team here. 

The EFL Trophy is a great competition for goals with Premier League academy sides facing off against lower league opponents, with those EFL sides often taking this opportunity to rotate their sides as this competition can make the schedule quite hectic.

Newcastle saw this selection land in their opening game in the EFL Trophy as they beat York City 3-1. That game was a good example of the mentality that some EFL sides can take to this competition as York fielded a heavily rotated side as they had a big game against Chesterfield to come.

Bradford should rotate here, which will naturally make them a bit weaker at the back than they have generally been in League One so far this term - conceding just four goals across their seven matches. There’s very little for the away side to lose in this game, so they are likely to be quite bold in their approach, they’ve seen this selection land in three of their last five matches. 

Hot And Cold runs at a 42% win hit rate and represents one of the most respected handicap operations in the sport.

Sir Mark Prescott's Heath House yard has a long-established method: horses start quietly in maiden and novice company, then improve sharply once they hit handicaps, often stringing wins together as they climb the ratings. This filly has followed that script precisely. She was well beaten on debut at Doncaster last October, ran a much better race at Wolverhampton in November despite a troubled passage, and then got off the mark at Newcastle at the third attempt.

That Newcastle win has worked out exceptionally well. The runner-up, John and Thady Gosden's Brilliant Star, won her next two starts, was rated 92, finished fourth of twelve in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, and was raised a further 10lb on top. That's a smart piece of form to be attached to.

She then had over 220 days off and returned at three in a Salisbury handicap off an opening mark of 75, making most of the running under Luke Morris and pulling a length clear of Lyra Lea, a solid yardstick rated 73. Betfred made her their NAP of the Day for her next start at Ascot, arguing she was open to significant improvement given it was only her fourth career outing and her first go in a handicap.

Luke Morris keeps the ride, as he has throughout, and the yard is in good order, Prescott has been running at a 25% strike rate over the past fortnight. She's owned and bred by Kirsten Rausing, whose colours Alpinista carried to Arc glory for this same trainer and jockey.

Politely runs at a 33% win hit rate for Owen Burrows, with Callum Rodriguez taking the ride at 9st 9lb.

The yard is the strongest angle I can stand behind. Burrows operates out of Kingwood House in Lambourn and is a quality-over-quantity outfit rather than a numbers yard, he was private trainer to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum before going public, and he's won at the highest level with Hukum in the Coronation Cup and King George, and Minzaal in the Haydock Sprint Cup. A three-year-old still winning a third of his starts from a stable of that calibre is worth respecting.

Callum Rodriguez has also been going well at Southwell. He landed a Class 5 three-year-old handicap over 1m 4f there on 3 September at 10/3 for Richard Fahey, coming from towards the rear to draw clear, and won a 6f handicap at the track in April for Ed Bethell. He knows how the place rides.

The company looks warm, though. The field he's in includes runners from Simon and Ed Crisford, Saeed bin Suroor, Richard Hannon, Charlie Hills, Ralph Beckett, Ed Walker and Edward Bethell. This is not a weak all-weather handicap.

Ki Woo runs at a 33% win hit rate and heads the market at 6/4, top-rated in the field on 133.

The run that makes the case came in June. In the valuable bet365 Summer Cup at Uttoxeter over 3m on good, he was beaten just half a length into second by Imperial Alex in a thirteen-runner field, and he did it at 12/1, holding off Dan Skelton's Riskintheground and David Pipe's Grand Clermont, who were joint-second favourites.

He's also proven versatile. He has four career wins - two over hurdles, two over fences - spread across trips from 2m 4f to 3m 4f, and he handles good and good to soft. That includes a Class 3 chase at Haydock over 3m 4f in March, won off a mark of 119 at 3/1. A horse with that range of winning form is rarely caught out by conditions.

Jack Tudor, who was aboard for the Uttoxeter second, keeps the ride for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Virtual Rock runs at a 40% win hit rate and heads the market at around 15/8 to 5/2.

The most persuasive line on the card is the last one. His form reads 21/81, a second, then a win, then a break, then an eighth on his return, and a win last time out. That is a horse who has come right after his seasonal reappearance, and one who has already shown he can win twice in a relatively short career.

He carries 11st 13lb, which is top weight and a reflection of where the handicapper now rates him. Shane Fenelon takes the ride for Des Donovan.

Tralee Girl is the joint-3rd highest rated horse of the day on Racing Ratings, with a score of 8.7/10.

She has finished in the top two in three of her last four races, including a victory last time out.

She is a heavy odds-on favourite for the race, and second-favourite, Bath Taverness, is the only other horse with credit from the algorithm - given a 7.2.

Bath Taverness is the only other horse in this five-horse field with a recent win on the card and this race represents a drop in class for Tralee Girl, having been a competent runner at higher levels than this.

Jockey, Harry Skelton, has ridden Tralee Girl in some impressive runs, always finishing at the front and winning last time out.

Supreme Clarets is joint-3rd in terms of the highest rated horses on Racing Ratings today, with an 8.7/10.

He has won his last two races coming into this and has finished in the top two in four of five.

Misunderstood leads the market just under 2/1 at the time of writing but is drifting, and there could be a smaller gap between Supreme Clarets and the market leader come the race start.

He is a previous course and distance winner, and today's trip is his most suited one.

Jockey, Warren Fentiman, rode Supreme Clarets to a win in early August, so there's some nice continuity and form there.

Hot And Cold is the highest rated horse on Racing Ratings today, with a 9.6/10.

She has won three of her last five races, finishing in the top two on four of those occasions.

Currently battling it out for favouritism at the top of the market with Winston's Warrior.

The algorithm gives Winston's Warrior a 7.5 and he's only won one of his last five.

Hot And Cold is a course and distance winner, running for an in-form stable, Sir Mark Prescott, with Luke Morris in the saddle, just as he was in her win last time out.

My Mate Mackley is the 2nd-highest rated horse on Racing Ratings today, with a 9.0/10 score.

He has finished in the top four in each of his last six races, a run that includes two 2nd-placed finishes and one victory.

No horse in the race has a more recent win to their name, on races run, than My Mate Mackley.

He's well proven at this level and over today's distance.

Jockey, Charles Bishop, brings experience of riding My Mate Mackley to victory and should continue his excellent consistency.

Hot And Cold is the highest rated horse on Racing Ratings today, with a 9.6/10.

She has won three of her last five races, finishing in the top two on four of those occasions.

Currently battling it out for favouritism at the top of the market with Winston's Warrior.

The algorithm gives Winston's Warrior a 7.5 and he's only won one of his last five.

Hot And Cold is a course and distance winner, running for an in-form stable, Sir Mark Prescott, with Luke Morris in the saddle, just as he was in her win last time out.

My Mate Mackley is the 2nd-highest rated horse on Racing Ratings today, with a 9.0/10 score.

He has finished in the top four in each of his last six races, a run that includes two 2nd-placed finishes and one victory.

No horse in the race has a more recent win to their name, on races run, than My Mate Mackley.

He's well proven at this level and over today's distance.

Jockey, Charles Bishop, brings experience of riding My Mate Mackley to victory and should continue his excellent consistency.

Hot And Cold is the highest rated horse on Racing Ratings today, with a 9.6/10.

She has won three of her last five races, finishing in the top two on four of those occasions.

Currently battling it out for favouritism at the top of the market with Winston's Warrior.

The algorithm gives Winston's Warrior a 7.5 and he's only won one of his last five.

Hot And Cold is a course and distance winner, running for an in-form stable, Sir Mark Prescott, with Luke Morris in the saddle, just as he was in her win last time out.

Ronaldo is still expected to lead the line for Portugal during this Nations League campaign and will be eager to reach the 150 international goal mark, which he is four goals away from. 

Ronaldo has scored three goals across five starts for Al Nassr in the early stages of the season, taking 19 shots across these matches (4.04 per 90), seeing 10 of these efforts find the target (2.13 per 90) - an impressive shot accuracy of over 50%.

Ronaldo scored five goals across five starts during Portugal’s World Cup qualifying campaign, notably averaging 7.44 shots per 90 and 2.88 shots on target per 90. 

He may be past his best, but he’s determined to be a part of the national side and I can see him having chances in front of goal as Portugal’s main vocal point with the 41-year-old still boasting a really healthy shot average. 

Harry Wilson is still trying to find a way into the starting lineup for Leeds, but he almost always delivers for his country.

Wilson enjoyed his strongest ever personal season last year as he registered 19 goal contributions across all competitions, with 17 of these coming in the Premier League.

He’s remarkably consistent when lining up for his country, scoring 17 goals across his 69 caps which is a really solid record at international level. 

Wilson scored five goals across six starts for Wales during their World Cup qualifying campaign, taking 17 shots across these games (2.76 per 90) and seeing seven of these efforts find the target (1.14 per 90).

Wales have been really bold so far under Craig Bellamy, and I don’t expect that approach to change here against a Portugal side who are entering a new era under Jorge Jesus.

Portugal could easily cover this line on their own, there’s been a recent trend with this national side that they look really convincing outside of the major tournaments but then struggle under the pressure of those environments.

Portugal saw 27 goals across their six matches during qualifying (4.5 per game), seeing 2+ goals in five of their six matches with the exception of a 1-0 win over Ireland where they recorded an xG of 2.97.

Wales have seen 2+ goals in each of their last five matches under Craig Bellamy. As mentioned above, they won’t come here and just accept sitting deep - Bellamy wants them to be aggressive and on the front foot, setting the stage for an entertaining game.

Ethan Ampadu is such an important player for this Wales side and has established himself as a Premier League regular for Leeds, committing four fouls across his five starts this season.

He committed eight fouls across five starts during Wales’ World Cup qualifying campaign (1.59 per 90) and will have a very difficult task here in trying to contain Portugal’s midfield, composed of some of the most talented players in Europe.

Ampadu averaged 1.44 fouls committed per 90 for Leeds in the Premier League last season, also collecting 10 yellow cards across his 35 matches - more than any other Leeds player. 

Caroline Hansen has started the season really well again for Barcelona, scoring three goals across her four appearances as well as registering five assists.

She’s an experienced forward who has recorded double digits for goals in each of her seven seasons at club, often also pitching in with double digits for assists as well.

This price may seem short to back a goalscorer, but Barcelona could easily score five or six here. It’s a real mismatch as Barcelona have avoided defeat in their last 41 matches, scoring at least three goals in over 70% of these matches.

Barcelona are easily the best side in the women’s game and should come away convincing winners here with Graham Hansen a good option to find the back of the net - as she did four times during Barcelona’s campaign in the Women’s Champions League last season.

Lauren James has started the season really well, scoring twice in the WSL as well as netting in Chelsea’s qualifying tie against Real Sociedad.

James has had more shots than any other Chelsea W player so far, taking a remarkable 19 shots across just two starts in the WSL (10.6 per 90), seeing five of these efforts find the target (2.80 per 90).

Chelsea are heavy favourites to win here and I would expect them to score at least three goals at home against an Austria Wien side who are not familiar with this level and lack the quality of Chelsea.

Claudia Pina is playing to a ridiculous standard again this season having registered eight goal contributions across just four appearances in Liga F this term.

Pina has scored 24+ goals in each of the last two seasons for Barcelona W , making her one of the best finishers in the women’s game. She’s taken 16 shots across her three starts this season (5.05 per 90), seeing eight of these efforts find the target (2.53 per 90).

Pina registered five goal contributions across seven starts in the Champions League for Barcelona W last season, averaging 4.32 shots per 90 and 1.70 shots on target per 90. Barcelona should dominate this game, they’ve avoided defeat in each of their last 41 matches - stretching all the way back to November 2025. 

This is a meeting between two huge nations with new managers at the helm, and I’m expecting goals.

We know that Jurgen Klopp wants his sides to play with plenty of intensity in that ‘heavy metal’ style of football which worked so well for the new Germany boss during his time at Liverpool.

Germany saw BTTS in all four of their games at the World Cup in what proved to be a disappointing campaign, with Julian Naglesmann’s side crashing out to Paraguay in the Round of 32 on penalties.

Netherlands have finally parted ways with Ronald Koeman and now have Xavi as head coach, who is another manager that will set up his side to be quite offensive and has the talent to cause Germany issues.

Netherlands also saw BTTS in all four of their games in the World Cup, crashing out to Morocco on penalties at the same stage where Germany exited the tournament.

Cody Gakpo has started the season really well after a summer of transfer speculation in which he was linked with a move away from Liverpool, with the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City showing interest.

Gakpo seems to improve even further when playing for his national side, he’s netted 24 goals across 54 caps which is a very solid record at international level and he should have opportunities to offer a threat in front of goal in this clash.

Gakpo has taken 10 shots across his four starts in the Premier League this season (2.43 per 90), with one of these efforts finding the back of the net. He scored three goals across four starts during the World Cup, averaging 2.43 shots per 90 and 1.46 shots on target per 90.

Gakpo was also a threat in front of goal during Netherlands’ World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring four goals across eight starts and averaging 1.10 shots on target per 90.

Kai Havertz led the line quite well for Germany during the World Cup, scoring three goals across his four starts from 12 shots (3.04 per 90).

Seven of these efforts found the target (1.77 per 90), with Havertz also making a decent start to this season domestically having scored three goals in his seven appearances across all competitions.

Havertz didn’t feature often during Germany’s World Cup qualifying campaign due to injury, but was effective the last time that Germany competed in the Nations League - scoring two goals across three starts and averaging 1.81 shots on target per 90 across these matches. 

Felix Nmecha was shooting for fun during the World Cup, taking eight shots across his four starts for Germany (2.65 per 90).

Five of these efforts came from outside of the box, showing how Nmecha isn’t afraid to take on more speculative efforts which is a good sign for the angle we’re taking here.

Nmecha has already scored two goals for Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season, taking six shots across his three starts (2.31 per 90). He only played 81 minutes for Germany during qualifying, but did manage three shots during this action.

Germany lack clinical players in forward areas, so their goals tend to be spread throughout the side and Nmecha is someone who can step up in this role having made a strong start to the season in front of goal.