Against All Odds: Monday Night Goal-Fest

22Apr 2013

England - Premier League

Manchester United can clinch the Premier League trophy with a win against Aston Villa this evening and Paul Robinson is predicting that there will be plenty of goals for those tuning in to Sky Sports One at 20:00.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have been written off a number of times during his time there and when their 'noisy neighbours' won their first Premier League title in May last year, it was generally thought that they'd likely dominate proceedings for some time to come. The fiery Scot isn't one to roll over though and he shelled out £24m for Robin Van Persie who's 21 league goals have helped them to go 13 points clear with just 15 to play for.

United have been irresistible in their attacking play - 75 goals scored at an average of 2.27 per game - but one thing that might concern the manager is the defence. While they have looked better as the season has gone on, they've still been breached 35 times this term and they've kept just six clean sheets at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa have climbed three points clear of the relegation zone courtesy of 10 points from a possible 15 but assuming they lose tonight, Wigan will have a game in hand. It's a bit of an assumption that United will win, United are 1.24 in the match odds market, but with The Red Devils knowing that victory will clinch the title on home soil, it's hard to fathom Villa taking anything from the game.

Paul Lambert's side know how to score goals though - especially on the road. Their last eight league results away from Villa Park read: 1-3, 8-0, 2-2, 2-2, 3-3, 2-1, 1-2, 1-3. As you can see, they've fired just one blank and not kept a single clean sheet. All eight have gone over 2.5 goals, but interestingly, six of them have gone over 3.5.

There should be a party atmosphere inside the ground tonight and there should be plenty of goals on the field too. Robin Van Persie is chasing the golden boot and he will spearhead the United attack, while Aston Villa are fantastic on the counter away from home. With under 3.5 goals trading at around the 1.85 mark, I simply have to make it my lay of the day.