Boston Utd v Woking: how it went

How it turned out

We projected about 2.7 goals and the game finished with 2. Both teams scored. We made Both teams to score 56%, and it landed.

What we said beforehand

Boston United host Woking at home on 15 September in the National League. Both clubs sit on seven points after seven games, with Boston in 19th place and Woking just below them in 20th. Their goal differences are identical at minus two, so a win for either side could lift them a spot and give a small breathing space in the relegation battle. The two teams are literally neck-and-neck, and a point will be as valuable as three for the side that comes out on top.

Boston’s recent form has been mixed. In their last eight matches they have won three, drawn one and lost four. The most recent result was a 3-1 defeat to Wealdstone at home, before that they drew 2-2 with Tamworth away. Prior to that they fell 3-2 to Hornchurch at home and 2-1 to Boreham Wood away. The good moments came when they beat Altrincham 1-0 at home and Solihull 2-0 away. In those eight games Boston have scored twelve and let in twelve, keeping two clean sheets and failing to find the net once. Five of the games featured three or more goals and both sides scored in five of them. They have now gone four games without a win and are coming in on a short three-day turnaround.

Woking have also been struggling to find consistency. Their last eight outings produced two wins, one draw and five defeats. The latest was a 5-1 victory over Altrincham at home, a rare bright spot before a 1-0 loss to Hartlepool away and a 1-1 draw with Southend at home. Before that they lost 1-0 to Hornchurch away, beat Fylde 3-2 at home and were beaten 2-0 by Gateshead away. On the road they have lost their last three matches. In total Woking have scored nine and conceded twelve, failing to score in five of those games. Three of the eight fixtures featured three or more goals and both sides hit the net in three of them. Like Boston, they are also playing after only three days of rest.

The two clubs have met four times before. Boston have never won, Woking have one win and the other three games ended in draws. Those meetings have produced an average of 2.8 goals per game, and the most recent encounter on 3 March ended in a 2-2 draw. That result suggests a game where both teams are capable of finding the net and defensive lapses are common. Given the similar goal averages and the recent high-scoring draw, we can expect another open contest with chances at both ends.

Our pick is both teams to score. Boston are expected to score about 1.4 goals and Woking about 1.3, and the chance of both sides hitting the net sits at 56 per cent. The price of 1.66 is shorter than our own reading, which makes it an attractive offer. For the bet to fail, one side would need to keep a clean sheet – Boston would have to shut out Woking or Woking would have to silence Boston. Both scenarios look less likely than a shared goal, so we feel comfortable backing both teams to find the net.