Macclesfield vs Colchester Predictions

Macclesfield may have failed to gain three points last weekend, but they did at least show that they’re up for the fight. Sol Campbell’s men came back not once, twice but three times, and although it would’ve been easy to give in when going 2-3 down in the 95th minute, the Silkmen rallied and hit back with a 97^th minute equaliser, an equaliser that may just have felt like a winner.

If we look at the fact that Macclesfield came out of last weekend’s match with an expected goal difference of -1.0, then it’s easy to conclude that they were fortunate not to lose, though the spirit and character showed by the Silkmen was still impressive.

Defensively, Sol Campbell has seemingly done little to help Saturday’s relegation-threatened hosts, who’ve eight goals in their last three and have shipped expected-goals against figures of 2.03, 2.65 and 3.42, but what the ex-Arsenal and England defender has done is give the Silkmen more belief going forward. Macclesfield have now scored at least once in each of their last nine matches, while they’ve scored six in their last three. They may be easy to get at defensively, as many teams have found it in recent times, but they’re now putting up much more of a fight thanks to extra belief in the final third.

Speaking of quality in the final third, Colchester have also been banging in the goals of late. Saturday’s visitors notched three at home against Cheltenham last time out, while they scored four away against Northampton prior to that. The fact that Colchester have scored at least twice in five of their last six tells us that they’re a side not short of attacking confidence, which bodes well ahead of a match against a Macclesfield side that is struggling massively to keep teams at bay.

Considering that Colchester gave away a rather hefty 2.59 expected goals when last in action on the road, Macclesfield ought to fancy themselves going forward on Saturday, but given their recent efforts, they aren’t likely to hold too many hopes of keeping things tight at the back.

In the betting, ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ is hard to steer clear of. It’s there for all to see that Macclesfield, who’ve surrendered 2.08 expected goals on average in their last three at home, are struggling massively to get it right at the back, though they’re also offering plenty going forward. Much of the same can be said for the visitors, who’ve seen at least three goals be scored in each of their last six. In all honesty, with both teams offering something going forward but also looking suspect at the back, it’s easy to feel that ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ could be a tad shorter, so supporting a high-scoring game, one where both teams profit offensively, stands out as a viable option.