This League One duo were both stuck in the relegation zone a few weeks ago but, after some good results in recent times, they have managed to drag themselves above the dotted line.
Oldham suffered their first defeat in five matches last time out as they lost 2-0 away at Walsall. However, they are still three points above the drop-zone and a win against Bury on Saturday will no doubt put them back on the right track.
As mentioned on previous tips on the Lactics, they have been excellent at the back and that loss against Walsall last weekend was the first time they had conceded more than one goal in eight games. Additionally, they still have the second-best clean sheet rate in the league with 39%. Unfortunately though, they are still the lowest scorers in the division with just 23 goals in 36 games. Having said that, when your defence is a good as theirs, you often only need one goal to take three points.
John Sheridan’s men have been good at home since the turn of the new year, losing just once at Boundary Park in 2017 whilst they are also on a three-match unbeaten run on home turf – keeping clean sheets in two of them.
Like Oldham, Bury lost last time out to put an end to a five-match unbeaten run – which coincided with Lee Clark’s arrival as manager. Clark’s men are now four points clear of the relegation zone and seem to be hitting form at exactly the right time.
The Shakers have gone on their run in complete contrast to Oldham though and simply look to outscore opponents, as shown by the fact that both teams have scored in three of their last four matches. Additionally, they have the fourth-best goalscoring record in the division with 54 goals in 36 league matches. Having said that, they have also improved defensively since Clark’s arrival and kept three clean sheets in that aforementioned five-match unbeaten run.
Following a dismal run of no away since September, Bury have now won their last two matches on the road. Furthermore, it is certainly worth mentioning that the Shakers have scored in each of their last six away games.
This is a crucial match and therefore it’s difficult to call. With this in mind, the result-neutral bet of ‘Both Teams to Score’ is worth a go. Bury have no problem scoring goals, but are very poor at the back and, therefore, Oldham should be finding the back of the net in this one.
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