football | Tuesday, August 16, 2022 11:52 AM (Revised at: Tuesday, August 16, 2022 11:53 AM)

Sam Ingram’s Early Bird Weekend Best Bets: Three Early Picks for August 20th

Sam Ingram

Sam Ingram’s Early Bird Weekend Best Bets: Saturday August 20th

It’s the second instalment of bettingexpert’s Early Bird Value positions this season. If you missed last week’s, the article will point out three selections being played during the upcoming weekend in the hope to carve out early positions that provide value and a price that may be unavailable come kick off.

In this article:

Reading vs Middlesbrough Preview & Best Bet
Exeter vs Cheltenham Preview & Best Bet
Fulham vs Brentford Preview & Best Bet

Reading vs Middlesbrough Preview

England, Championship, Saturday, August 20th, 15:00 (UK)

A 4-0 lesson by fellow relegation-fancied strugglers Rotherham stands as Reading’s most recent Championship result. Surprisingly, despite the scoreline, The Millers’ 1.40xG was trumped by Reading’s 1.58xG as they blanked for the second time in three matches. There’s a small matter of top of the league, three out of three, Blackburn Rovers visiting Reading before Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough. Nevertheless, skipping what should be another challenging task for Reading, we’ll instead focus attention on Boro’s visit on Saturday.

“I know my team’s got balls” was Chris Wilder’s take on his side’s response of going behind twice to Sheffield United. Wilder, disappointed not to snatch three points from his former side, stated that the Blades are one of the outstanding teams in this division. However, the visit to the Royals next Saturday offers a level of competition closer to the foot of the division – one that should threaten an end-of-season drop to League One.

Chuba Akpom put in a performance to remember on Saturday. The 26-year-old bagged two and staked a claim for a season-long spot spearheading Boro’s attack, one that will be bolstered by Marcus Forss (Brentford – £3.24m) and Matthew Hoppe’s (RCD Mallorca – £2.70m) arrival.

Reading vs Middlesbrough Best Bet

Middlesbrough haven’t kicked into gear results-wise, although they’ve been dealt a tricky start. WBA first up, away to QPR under new management, and then Sheffield United’s visit to the Riverside made up the opening three matches. The Championship has few ‘easy’ fixtures, but that’s a tough opening.

Avoiding Chris Wilder’s men clinching a result, we can side with a market those from the Riverside have landed in the previous two fixtures. At odds-against, Boro to score two or more goals is one to take. During last season’s instalment of the Championship, Reading conceded 44 goals in 23 home games. The Royals’ 1.91 per90 average goals conceded was the average in the league.

On the other hand, Boro hit 2+ goals in 20/46 Championship outings in 2021/22. Reading shipping 2+ goals at home in 11/23 matches in the previous term was a statistic only ‘bettered’ by Birmingham’s 13/23.

Selection: Middlesbrough 2+ Goals (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.05 (BetVictor)
Stakes: 10/10

Exeter vs Cheltenham Preview

England, League One, Saturday, August 20th, 15:00 (UK)

It’s hard to ignore the EFL Cup game just one week ago, wedged between Cheltenham’s three losses in the league. The 0-7 hammering between the pair shouldn’t be expected to rear its head in League One, with both opting for their strongest eleven, though it’s a scoreline that will mould each manager’s pre-match team talks.

Calls of more of the same will likely bellow from the home dressing room on Saturday, whilst Wade Elliot’s demands of making amends on a recent humiliation will shape any pre-match notes.

Exeter vs Cheltenham Best Bet

In Exeter’s solitary game at home so far this season, the Grecians put four past a disjointed-looking Port Vale side. After promotion from League Two, it’s precisely the type of result you dream of to kickstart what one hopes is a fruitful home campaign in unfamiliar surroundings.

Last season, as Exeter stormed towards automatic promotion, 15/23 (65%) matches at St James’ Park saw the hosts bag multiple goals. Those of an Exeter City persuasion will likely feel confident about the season ahead, considering their start. Yet, it’s the home form where results must get over the line to provide a stable footing in the division. Given how Exeter conduct themselves in front of home support, don’t be surprised to see them threaten mid-table rather than those scrapping for their lives come May.

Selection: Exeter 2+ Goals (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More Exeter vs Cheltenham Tips

Brentford vs Fulham Preview

England, Premier League, Saturday, August 20th, 15:00 (UK)

Here we have two sides preparing to lock horns after inspired starts. The Bees’ dismantling of Manchester United takes the crown as, potentially, their most significant result – certainly in the modern era. In the home corner, Scott Parker’s Fulham boasts a draw against one of the league’s best before shutting out Wolves on their own patch.

Both present undefeated two games in, and both will fancy causing the other an upset on Saturday. Fulham’s performance at home to Liverpool has encouraged the favourites tag for the fixture, although I’m sure Ivan Toney and company will have something to say there.

Fulham vs Brentford Best Bet

Brentford produced 22 points from their 19 away matches Last season, a record that had them as the 11th-best Premier League outfit on their travels. That’s pretty impressive for a newly-promoted side. The 6W/4D/9L record ushered them above all of Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Leicester – not a team to be taken lightly on the road, then, and one that will be aiming to sneak a top-half finish in 2022/23 now there is a sense of settling into the Premier League landscape.

With returns if the two play out to a draw, it’s a position that offers a favourable angle in a game that could, admittedly, swing either way. Regardless, at 1.82, it’s one to consider with the reassurance of being in profit at honours even.

Selection: Brentford +0.25 Asian Handicap
Best Odds: 1.82 (bet365)
Stakes: 8/10

Odds as at 23:00 August 15th 2022. Odds may now differ.

More Fulham vs Brentford Tips

Odds via bet365 and BetVictor as at 10:00 August 16th, 2022. Odds may now differ.

What are Football best bets?

Our best bets are posted by some of the best tipsters around. These are our tipsters best value bets. A best bet can be placed on any number of different markets. The most common of which are 1X2, the Asian handicap, BTTS, and the goals markets. Value can be found in matches from leagues across the world. Be sure to follow bettingexpert for the latest best bets.