Lampard to reiterate goal-scoring qualities

8Feb 2013

England - Premier League

Jaymes Monte siphons through the Opta stats and picks out his best bets for Saturday's 3pm kick-offs...

Although they are without a win in four Chelsea are at least scoring goals, and should have too much for a Wigan side that have conceded seven goals in their last three league matches.

The Blues have scored exactly two goals in each of their last four league games, and in each of the last three one has been netted by Frank Lampard and the other by Juan Mata.

Lampard maintained his scoring streak with a pearler for England in midweek, and being on penalty duty makes him the value bet of the pair at 2.4 to net anytime - Chelsea have won the most penalties in the Premier League this season (8) while Wigan have conceded the most (7).

Norwich 2.34 v Fulham 3.4; The Draw 3.45

Although Fulham have won only one of their last seven in all competitions, they'll arrive at Carrow Road confident they can pick up all three points against a Norwich side that have won one in 10 and scored only once in their last five; a run that includes a home fixture against non-league Luton.

Fulham have won nine and lost none of the last 11 meetings with Norwich in all competitions, and look outstanding value at odds of 3.4 to win this one.

The Over/Under 2.5 goals market is fairly evenly poised with Unders at 1.94 and Overs 2.06. Norwich's aforementioned poor form in front of goal is slightly negated by the fact that Fulham have gone 11 Premier League games without a clean sheet; the longest current run in the top-flight. Probably a market best avoided.

Stoke 1.95 v Reading 4.6; The Draw 3.6

Reading have climbed out of the relegation zone following a run of four wins and a draw from their last six Premier League games. The Royals have now won six of their last eight in all competitions and have scored two or more in each of their last six fixtures.

Stoke, by contrast, have won just one of their last 10 Premier League matches and despite a solid home record simply must be opposed at odds-on prices here.

Adam Le Fondre has scored five goals in his last four Premier League appearances, all off the substitutes bench. He is a 4.0 chance to score anytime and 9.0 to score the last of the game.

Sunderland 4.5 v Arsenal 1.92; The Draw 3.75

Arsenal's record against Sunderland is a fairly solid one, having won 10 and lost just one of the last 18 Premier League clashes. They did, however, lose to the Black Cats in the FA Cup at the Stadium of Light last season.

Interestingly, Arsenal have conceded 62% of their goals in the first half of games - a league high proportion - and conceded fewer in total after the break than any other team (11). And if only second half performances were taken into account, Arsenal would be 2nd in the Premier League table to Man City on goals scored (49 points each).

The Gunners can be backed at odds of 2.3 to win the second half, while Sunderland are an appealing 5.0 to be leading at the interval.

Swansea 1.87 v QPR 4.9; The Draw 3.75

QPR remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, but there are at least signs of life in Harry Redknapp's side having lost just one of their last eight in all competitions.

In the Premier League QPR have drawn their last four Premier League matches, with three of those games ending 0-0 and each featuring fewer than 2.5 goals. It is a 1.84 chance that this one has less than three goals.

Swansea have dropped just two points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, fewer than any other team. Therefore if the home side do take a lead, they should be a good In-Play bet despite the obvious short odds.

Recommended Bets

Back Lampard to score anytime @ 2.4

Back Fulham to win @ 3.4

Lay Stoke to win @ 1.95

Back Under 2.5 goals @ 1.84 in Swansea v QPR