Early Bird Tips for BTTS: Can We Rely On Chelsea Yet?

The Early Bird Both Teams To Score Acca is back and we are covering Europe’s major leagues with three tips following the return from the international break.

Our expert, Scott Thornton, has selections from the Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1. Chelsea’s clash with Arsenal is the pick of the bunch, but Stuttgart could steal the show in Germany and go top of the Bundesliga. Elsewhere, we finish things off in France as strugglers Lorient host Rennes.

• Early Bird Chelsea vs Arsenal: Both Teams To Score
• Early Bird Union Berlin vs Stuttgart: Both Teams To Score
• Early Bird Lorient vs Rennes: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals

Acca odds: 6.07

Odds via bet365 as at 12:23, October 16th, 2023. Odds may now differ.

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Chelsea vs Arsenal: All Gunners Blazing at Stamford Bridge

England, Premier League, Saturday, October 21st, 17:30 (UK)

Chelsea have improved in recent weeks, and there are signs that Pochettino may have finally struck the right balance with his starting eleven. The Blues have won their last three competitive fixtures and can move to within six points of Arsenal with a win.

In their last Premier League match, Arsenal came out on top in an underwhelming encounter with Manchester City. The win saw them move level on points with Tottenham at the top of the table.

Chelsea faced Arsenal in May when their season was effectively over and succumbed to a 3-1 defeat. The Blues have lost their last three matches against their London rivals, but expect them to put in a better display here. Pochettino’s side have an xG of 15.79 this season, and they have shown a clinical side in recent weeks.

Arsenal are unbeaten so far this season and look like real contenders once again. Arteta’s men have been solid at the back in most of their games, but they looked fragile in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham. The clash with Chelsea could be played at a similarly frantic pace. The importance of this fixture to both sets of fans often means the stats go out of the window, and I’m expecting an enthralling match.

• Selection: Both Teams To Score
• Best Odds: 1.70
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 7/10

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Union Berlin vs Stuttgart: Stuttgart Becoming Unmissable

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, October 21st, 14:30 (UK)

Union Berlin led the Bundesliga at one stage last season, but they had to settle for a place in the Champions League. They’ve made a slow start to this campaign and are marginal underdogs despite having home advantage here.

Stuttgart have been the surprise package in Germany thus far. They’ve picked up 18 points in seven matches and are just a point behind the league leaders. They’ve been spearheaded by the goalscoring exploits of Serhou Guirassy, who is five goals clear of Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot.

The Bundesliga has seen an average of 3.52 goals per game so far this season, significantly more than the other major European leagues. Union’s matches are averaging 3.57 goals per game. Urs Fischer’s side are conceding two goals per game on average.

Stuttgart’s matches have seen the 2nd most goals in the Bundesliga. They’ve been rampant going forward and are scoring 3.14 goals per match. However, they have also showcased some defensive frailties. They’ve conceded six goals across their three games on the road. They managed to keep a clean sheet in Koln, but their opponents were wasteful in front of goal.

• Selection: Both Teams To Score
• Best Odds:1.70
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 8/10

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Lorient vs Rennes: Lacklustre Lorient Aiming to Bounce Back

France, Ligue 1, Sunday October 22nd, 12:00 (UK)

Lorient looks set to struggle this season, and their start will have done nothing to increase confidence. They currently occupy the relegation playoff spot and are fortunate that both Clermont and Lyon have been well off the pace in the opening months.

Rennes are in 8th place, but a good run of results would likely catapult them into the European places. They suffered their first league defeat before the international break as they lost 3-1 to PSG prior to the international break. Bruno Genesio’s side have drawn five of their eight league matches so far.

Both teams have scored in three of Lorient’s four home matches in Ligue 1. Their last match ended 3-3, and there have been sporadic showings of attacking flair despite the team having just one win in their opening eight games. The break will have given the manager a chance to galvanise his squad, so they should make a fast start at the Stade du Moustoir.

Rennes were beaten 2-1 when they visited this ground last season. Their previous two matches in the league have ended 3-1, and both teams have scored in six of their eight matches so far this season. Rennes matches have seen three goals per game on average.

• Selection: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals in The Match
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 10/10

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