4 To Score: Pick these sides in our free-to-play prediction game
Our writers tip the likeliest first scorers in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two in this weekend's Saturday 3pm games.
4 To Score is Betway's free-to-play prediction game, where you can win £25,000 by simply guessing the first team to score in the top four divisions across Saturday's three o'clock kick-offs.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Top pick: Leicester
Leicester have been the earliest scorers in the Premier League on three occasions this season, and they’ve scored more goals inside 15 minutes than any other side.
The Foxes have scored eight times in their last four home games, and are a good bet to again grab an early goal against Watford, who conceded first in each of their last two league games.
Honourable mentions: Arsenal, Huddersfield
Arsenal are a solid pick this weekend given that they’re much better at home than they are away and play three-time 4 To Score losers Crystal Palace.
Huddersfield – up against a Stoke side who have conceded the earliest goal in the division on five occasions this season – are another decent option.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Top pick: Leeds
Leeds have scored inside the first 35 minutes in eight of their last 11 home matches, and within 10 minutes of their FA Cup game at Newport a fortnight ago.
They host Millwall, who have been behind inside 20 minutes in three of their last six away games, and were 3-0 down within half an hour of their game at Derby last month.
Honourable mentions: Brentford, Middlesbrough
Brentford have scored at least twice in nine of their last 11 away games, so are a good bet to put Reading to the sword on Saturday.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, scored inside the first 15 minutes of their only away game under Tony Pulis so far, so could be a good bet at QPR.
LEAGUE ONE
Top pick: Peterborough
Oldham remain the division’s slowest starters after conceding first once again last weekend, the ninth goal they’ve shipped in the opening 10 minutes of games this season.
That is three more than any other side, a record that could easily get worse against Peterborough, who have taken the lead inside 14 minutes in five of their last eight matches, including their last three in a row at home.
Honourable mentions: MK Dons, Rotherham
Northampton have conceded the 4 To Score goal three times in the last nine rounds of fixtures.
That could become four against an MK Dons side whose five goals in the opening 10 minutes of matches – the joint-third most in the division – have all come away from home.
Finally, Rotherham have twice been 4 To Score winners since 30 December, so are certainly worth considering when they take on Portsmouth at the New York Stadium, where they’ve already scored four without reply in the first 10 minutes this season.
LEAGUE TWO
Top pick: Wycombe
Promotion-chasing Wycombe have netted 10 in their last five league games, including goals in the seventh and 14th minutes in their last three.
They take on fifth-bottom Crewe, who have shipped the opening goal of the weekend on six separate occasions and, having conceded 11 goals in the opening 20 minutes of their games, are League Two’s slowest starters.
Honourable mentions: Accrington, Luton
Accrington have rattled in nine in three matches, including a four-goal haul in their last home game, and could register early against a Port Vale side that conceded after 11 minutes last week at home to strugglers Yeovil.
Yes, it’s predictable, and yes, they lost last week, but it would be remiss of me not to even mention Luton given that they are top of the table and have scored 62 times – 13 more than any other side.
