Just two days since playing the festive Boxing day fixtures, we do not have long to recover before the full coupon is back on. Playing this on a Bank Holiday should help boost the crowds during this festive period.
Having identified three games to see goals, this pays a worthy 7.20/1, and definitely has mileage, which will be justified forthwith.
Norwich Vs Aston Villa
Villa really need to turn their season around and start scoring as relegation appears increasingly likely as the games pass them by. Norwich on the other hand after their recent win over Manchester United will have believe in themselves and will eye this game as a must win, just to put any pressure on them at bay.
Rémi Garde since coming into the job has had some limited success and having mustered three draws before the Boxing day game. Surely their luck is going to turn into a victory at some point. Villa really need to find an attacking formula having netted less than a goal a game, which reads a dire prospect without change and fast.
Norwich’s form has been patchy to be accurate, and pulling a mini run together will alleviate the pressure marginally as this fixture will be billed as a six-pointer in regards to both sides in the pack of contenders for the drop.
In regards to the importance of these game frustrations from the villa camp may set in. I was a little surprised to see this game for goals is odds against. My reasoning for this is that both sides need the win and will have to pull something out the bag. You could argue the flip side of this view that this could easily end all square nil-nil or one apiece but this is really no good for either, especially Villa that need this.
Recommendation:
Over 2.5 goals
Walsall Vs Peterborough
This is a game between two sides in the midlands battling for promotion with both sides suffering one defeat in the last six, before the Boxing Day game.
The mighty posh led by Graham Westley will have their work cut out to upset Sean O’Driscoll’s Walsall outfit, who have played some excellent football in League one this term. Both contenders for promotion have their strengths and weaknesses with both managers with commanding credibility in the football league will look to outgun the other.
Peterborough’s core strength this season is netting goals. Posh to their downfall concede a few also, contrary to Walsall that boast one of the best defences in the league. In defiance of the home sides record at the Bescot stadium, taking on the open play style of Westley’s men has no easy solution.
One would argue a defensive style is the easy solution The visitors who have seen three or more match goals in sixty-eight percent of their games this season will be a difficult force to stop.
When you get a match price of a shade of odds on the indication is that bookies are not favouring either outcome significantly. It is worth bearing in mind that fifty-seven percentage of the hosts games has seen both sides score compared to a table topping seventy-seven percent for the visitors to support the price.
Recommendation:
Over 2.5 goals
Stevenage Vs Dagenham
Teddy Sheringham’s Stevenage welcome manager less Dagenham, who sacked manager Wayne Burnett following a run of one win in 16 games in League Two. The club did state that both Burnett and the board felt a change was necessary in order to turn around the team’s fortunes.
In place for the visit to Broadhall Way, Dagenham coaches Darren Currie and Warren Hackett will be in temporary charge. What better opportunity for Sheringham’s men to pocket another home win to add to their recent form, which has lifted Stevenage up the table.
Stevenage have certainly turned their season around, netting in all but one and remaining undefeated in the last six. Their opponents can find the net, having averaged over a goal a game, but having leaked twice in volume.
The mind-set of the Dagenham players will be to show some class for any potential managerial onlookers that eventually take charge of the club. Defensive frailties will take some time to remedy and what better than to have the Stevenage attack at home looking to cause more misery.
Dagenham’s positive from heading into this is that Stevenage’s defence when exposed can create a way through that has led to five of the last six with opponents getting on the scoresheet.
With potential fresh tactics from the Dagenham bench, this game would surprise me if this landed on fewer than three match goals!
Recommendation:
Over 2.5 goals
