The Goalscorer Gamble: Lump on Lampard to provide perfect season's end

18May 2013

Betfair

Dan Fitch is expecting Frank Lampard to complete his season's narrative with another Chelsea goal, when he faces Everton...

After a stag do-induced hiatus I'm back on the goalscorer hunt, with my batteries so recharged that I'm ready to out-tip all other popular brands.

We start with the final day of the Premier League season. Now, I'm not a spiritual person (stay with this, it's going somewhere). I don't believe that our actions are predetermined and that we walk some kind of destined path in life. Instead I believe that the whole universe is simply some sort of chaotic accident of random chance. It's probably why I support Spurs.

Yet conversely, I 100% believe that things will happen on the football field because of fate. I believe that the narrative that the football gods decide upon, will ultimately play out.

So when I look at Chelsea's last game of the season against Everton, in which the Stamford Bridge faithful will give praise to their hero Frank Lampard as he clutches his freshly signed contract, I can envisage no other scenario than him scoring a goal.

He's already broken Bobby Tambling's record this season and his 15 Premier League goals is a quite remarkable achievement for a midfielder, given his age and amount of opportunities this season. Back the 2.88 for Lampard to score, safe in the knowledge that this is how things are meant to be.

Over to Spain for tonight's televised La Liga clash between Sevilla and Real Sociedad. The visitors are currently occupying La Liga's fourth spot by virtue of goal difference and their trip to Sevilla looks like a possible stumbling block.

Sociedad have conceded six goals in their last three games and that's bad news against a Sevilla side that score plenty at home. Once again it's the reliable Alvaro Negredo who is our pick to score. Negredo has hit 20 goals this season and we're going to back him at 5.1 to open the scoring.

From Spain we move to France for tonight's game between Nice and Lyon. This should be a decent contest between the fifth-placed home side and Lyon, who currently sit third in Ligue 1. With only three points separate the sides with two games to go, there's all to play for.

Lyon lost to PSG last week, but before that defeat they were unbeaten in four. Those four games saw Bafetimbi Gomis score three goals to take his season's tally to 16. We're backing the French international at 2.8 to find the net.

In Italy, Serie A concludes over the weekend. Third placed AC Milan are looking to get at least a draw in order to keep Fiorentina at bay and the omens look good considering that they must face the already relegated Siena.

Mario Balotelli has returned from suspension and is now back amongst the goals for the Rossoneri. The eccentric striker has notched four goals in his last four games and on three occasions he's closed the scoring.

In their last away game Milan beat the equally relegated Pescara 4-0 and I foresee a similar scoreline as the visitors look to book a guaranteed place in next season's Champions League draw. Our money is going on Balotelli to deliver the knockout punch at odds of around 4.00.

Finally we return to home waters and the Premier League. It's rare that I describe someone who is odds on as overpriced, but I believe that will prove the case when Sergio Aguero and Manchester City host Norwich.

The Argentinian was on target against Reading last week and seems to enjoy playing against the Canaries. He's scored four goals against Norwich - more than he's managed against any other team - and the 1.89 on offer for Aguero to score again, represents good value.

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: Back Lampard at 2.88

Back Negredo to score first at 5.1

Back Gomis to score at 2.8

Back Balotelli to score last at 4.0

Back Aguero to score at 1.89