An anomaly in League One has caught my eye this weekend. On Saturday Blackpool host Portsmouth at Bloomfield Road, and there's an interesting glitch in the goals market.
Blackpool
Blackpool is off to a seemingly bright start, amassing 11 points from 5 games and scoring 9 goals in the process. However, the goals have come against Bristol Rovers, Southend, Oxford and Gillingham - all of which had problems and/or defensive issues last season.
Also, Blackpools efficiency in front of goal has been a bit crazy so far this season. No less than 56.25% of the shots on target have scored. As comparison: last season in League One, the average shots on target efficiency was 30.13% and the most efficient team scored 38.65% of the shots on target. So Blackpool is really off the charts this time around.
Looking at last season, only 4 teams created fewer shots than Blackpool in League One (Blackpool created 9.98 shots per game). Only 1 teams created fewer shots on target than Blackpool last season in League One (Blackpool created 3.54 shots on target per game).
This season has started in the very same manner: Only 3 teams created fewer shots than Blackpool so far this season (Blackpool created 9.60 shots per game) and only 6 teams created fewer shots on target than Blackpool so far this season (Blackpool created 3.2 shots on target per game).
Portsmouth
Portsmouth on the other hand have collected a less impressive 5 points from 4 games conceding a total of 6 goals. 5 of the 6 goals being scored by promotions rivals Sunderland and Coventry.
Looking at last season, only 5 teams conceded fewer shots than Portsmouth in League One (Portsmouth conceded 9.52 shots per game). Only 5 teams conceded fewer shots on target than Portsmouth last season in League One (Portsmouth conceded 3.74 shots on target per game).
This season has started in an even more impressive way: only 1 team conceded fewer shots than Portsmouth so far this season (Portsmouth conceded 6.75 shots per game) and Portsmouth also conceded 3.50 shots on target per game so far this season.
Check out more League One stats here!
Conclusion & Betting Tips
Blackpool has been way too efficient in front of goal so far this season. The shots and shots on target stats indicate that Blackpool in fact are more likely to continue the rather bleak attacking football from last season. Portsmouth on the other hand looks to be able to reproduce the solidity at the back from last season.
My Betting Tip is Total Blackpool Goals: Under 0.5.
Stake at 3.75/10 units.
