I’m on the over of 2.5 goals in this Palace @ Branford matchup for these reasons:

- Palace were the better team down the stretch of last season, while Brentford struggled due to injury. Both teams scoring should be a given here, with each team playing better in their current positions for this game, meaning that Palace played worse defense on the road last season, and Brentford played better offense at home last season, but Crystal Palace has a good enough roster to score here as well.

- Palace lost Olise in the transfer portal, but they got Mateta who is dangerously lethal inside the box and I am side betting him to score here in this matchup.

- Ivan Toney missed the majority of last season due to substance abuse to enhance his performance on the pitch. He will be aiming to continue the tear he was on before being handed, scoring 4 goals to start that last season.

- I can’t choose, but if I had to side bet, it would be on Palace who have more vets and more competition experience than the young Brentford side.

Official Play: Over 2.5 goals

Side Bet: Jean-Philippe Maeteta anytime goal