Berbatov to strike gold against leaky Wigan

12Jan 2013

Premier League

Christian Crowther uses the Opta stats to find four likely scorers for this weekend's Premier League action...

Rickie Lambert - Aston Villa v Southampton (Saturday, 15:00)

Rickie Lambert has scored in three of Southampton's last four Premier League away games

If any side in the Premier League is vulnerable to conceding at the moment it's Aston Villa. Paul Lambert's young side have been given an absolute schooling in recent weeks, culminating in an embarrassing 3-1 loss at League Two team Bradford on Tuesday night. Saints ace Lambert is bang in form away from St Mary's and the experienced striker should profit against Villa's fledgling defence.

Recommended Bet: Back Rickie Lambert to score @ 3.25

Dimitar Berbatov - Fulham v Wigan (Saturday, 15:00)

Dimitar Berbatov has scored eight goals in 11 Premier League appearances against Wigan

Since Fulham's silky Bulgarian caused a few chuckles with his narcissistic message to teammates scrawled on his undergarments, it seems to have done the trick. Berbatov followed up that Boxing Day strike with another goal against West Brom just two matches later. Now Fulham resume their Premier League business against a porous Wigan side against whom Berba has had the measure of during his time in England.

Recommended Bet: Back Dimitar Berbatov to score @ 2.62

Demba Ba - Stoke v Chelsea (Saturday, 15:00)

Demba Ba has scored four goals in four Premier League appearances against Stoke

Unlike the man Ba will be scrapping with for a starting spot at Stamford Bridge, the Senegalese striker has taken no time at all to make his mark in a blue jersey. Two debut goals against Southampton highlighted straight away what a predatory player Chelsea were getting for their modest outlay. Ba's cameo against Swansea should have merited one too, though the linesman had other ideas. Ba should start as the fresher of the two front men.

Recommended Bet: Back Demba Ba to score @ 2.72

Kevin Nolan - Sunderland v West Ham (Saturday, 15:00)

Kevin Nolan has scored more goals against Sunderland than he has managed against any other opponent in his Premier League career (6)

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce may hand a first start to new striker Marouane Chamakh to try and take advantage of the Black Cats' defensive frailties, compounded by injuries to Carlos Cuellar and Danny Rose against Bolton. However, Allardyce should still give favourite Nolan the nod behind the main forward in the withdrawn role he has made his own at Upton Park. Nolan has relished playing Sunderland in the past and, after an unusually long spell of nine games without scoring, the Scouser will have his eye on breaking that drought here.

Recommended Bet: Back Kevin Nolan to score @ 4.0