Two And a Half Goals: Expect goals at White Hart Lane and the Britannia

 

Neil Harvey tells us where the goals are coming from in the Premier League this weekend...

 

Saturday

 

Manchester Utd v Norwich

 

Backing Man Utd to be involved in a low-scoring match has brought us success in each of the last two weeks, and I suggest we stick with them to labour once again against Norwich.

 

United are currently in the comfort zone, possessing a 12 point cushion over nearest rivals Man City. And more pressingly for United, they have a Champions League showdown with Real Madrid to prepare for. So like it or not, the likelihood is that United will take it easy this weekend, just as they have in the last two.

 

With the Reds still fighting on three trophy fronts, these last few weeks have represented the calm before the storm, the build-up to a major push on several fronts. At this stage, the last thing Alex Ferguson wants is injuries. And this conservative mentality shows, with United's last three games having produced just five goals.

 

And all this will suit Norwich just fine, as they look to solidify their league status. Obviously, they'd settle for a point at Old Trafford, and they have the ability to get it, with the Canaries having drawn six of their 13 games so far on the road.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Under 2.5 goals @ 2.68

 

 

Stoke v West Ham

 

These might not be two of the most pure footballing sides in the Premier League, but nonetheless I expect them to serve-up a goal-scoring treat for us this weekend.

 

Stoke have been on a poor run of late, having won just two of their last 13. But the Potters have been there and got the t-shirt when it comes to Premier League survival, and I expect them to put in a strong finish to the season, starting this Saturday. And even though they might not have been racking up the points lately, it certainly hasn't stemmed the flow of goals. Stoke's last five home matches were all high-scoring, producing on average more than four goals per game.

 

And it's a similar story for West Ham. They too are in poor form and arrive without a point from their last five away games. Four of those five matches were high-scoring, with the Hammers conceding 13 goals in the process. That clearly isn't the kind of form you want to take to the Britannia Stadium, and for me goals look absolutely inescapable in this one.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Over 2.5 goals @ 2.30

 

 

Sunday

Tottenham v Arsenal

 

Backing goals in this fixture may seem a little obvious, but it makes it them no less likely to happen.

 

When these sides met earlier in the season, the result was hugely misleading. Arsenal won 5-2, but the reality was that Spurs were looking the better side and by my reckoning would have won with ease, had it not been for Adebayor's early sending-off. Even with ten men, Spurs looked threatening throughout.

 

It's a huge match of course for both sides as they fight for third place in the league. But with Chelsea also firmly in that race, neither side will feel comfortable settling for just a point. I'd also argue that neither is especially suited to playing cautiously, with the strengths of both teams lying in their attacking prowess.

 

History also screams that this fixture produces goals. Ten of these sides' last eleven league meetings were high scoring, producing an astonishing 49 goals in total. And with the stakes so high, we could easily see another red-card brandished, which would only serve to raise my expectation of goals.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Over 2.5 goals @ 1.71

 

Bet HERE

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