There’s only a few more weeks to go of this up and down Premier League season, but where will this weekend’s goals come from, I hear you ask? Well, I have gone for Swansea City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United and West Ham United v Wigan Athletic to all deliver over 2.5 goals.
Last week’s selections didn’t go particularly well, with only Sunderland’s thumping of Newcastle bringing any ticks in the boxes. Aston Villa and Fulham suffered from horrendous finishing, and Alex McCarthy’s heroics stopped Liverpool from putting at least seven past Reading.
However, as the very finest betting connoisseurs always say, I’ve got a good feeling about this week.
If you wish to lump the free £20 bet you get for signing up to a bwin account on this top division treble then you could see a return of over £110.
Over 2.5 goals in Swansea v Southampton @ 18/25
This match is somewhat of a dead rubber as both teams are almost certainly safe from the drop, while Swansea have already confirmed their place in next season’s Europa League.
However, don’t think that will lead to any complacency, especially with the vast sums of prize money on offer for higher positions in the top flight.
Back in November they drew 1-1 at St Mary’s, but while the Welsh side are always tight on the road, goals are far more likely to flow when they’re back across the border at the Liberty.
Eleven of their 16 home games have featured over 2.5 goals this season, while ten from the Saints’ 16 away trips have seen three goals or more.
Over 2.5 goals in West Brom v Newcastle @ 18/25
The goals always flow when the Baggies meet the Geordies, with only two of their 17 clashes in the last decade featuring under 2.5 goals.
A 1-1 draw in the Championship back in 2009 was the last time they failed to produce three or more goals between them, and seven games have followed since then.
This season, Newcastle have seen 22 of their 33 Premier League games feature over 2.5 strikes, with ten from 16 away trips.
The same statistic applies to West Brom games at the Hawthorns this season, and with Romelu Lukaku and Papiss Cisse on the pitch, goals look likely at both ends.
Over 2.5 goals in West Ham v Wigan @ 87/100
After a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday, the Hammers welcome relegation candidates Wigan to Upton Park.
The last five meetings between these sides have seen over 2.5 goals, including their two clashes this season, the Latics winning 4-1 at Upton Park in the League Cup and 2-1 at the DW in the league.
With Andy Carroll finally finding his feet since his loan move to the east London outfit, and the Latics hot off winning a place in the FA Cup final, there will be plenty of confidence flowing from both sides on Saturday afternoon.
Roberto Martinez’s men were unlucky to lose at Manchester City in midweek, and it was a rare low-scoring trip for the Lancashire side, with ten of their 16 visits seeing over 2.5 goals scored.
The same record applies to West Ham’s home form after the United game, and it would be no surprise if this clash earned itself a leading place on Match of the Day.
Happy punting!
Follow David on Twitter @whichdave
