As we’ve cruised past the halfway point of the season, tensions at the top and bottom see sides playing a little more on the dangerous side as they search for three points when they may have settled for a point a few months ago. This plays into our hands here at Goals Galore, check out our treble below.
Liverpool v Arsenal
12.45pm Saturday
What a tremendous match to kick off the Premier League this weekend as we enter Game Week 25. Liverpool play hosts at their historic Anfield, with top of the table Arsenal visiting who will be looking to replicate a title challenging result which rivals Chelsea pulled off on Monday by beating Manchester City at the Etihad 1-0.
That result has set the bar and if Arsenal want to challenge, a victory here will make the required the statement.
Despite dropping points in their last fixture away to West Brom, courtesy of Victor Anichebe latching on to a shocking pass at the back via Kolo Toure which left the game at 1-1, Liverpool continue to be one of the most dangerous sides when it come to goals in the league.
The Reds have scored in each of their previous 14 games and have found the back of the net in all but one of their away ties this season. Daniel Sturridge is back and really hitting form now with another goal against the Baggies last Sunday, and along side world class striker and the divisions top scorer, Luis Suarez they have plenty of firepower to be confident of getting all three points.
Arsenal as we have already mentioned fancy themselves for the title. Currently top of the league, victories and results in the big games will determine if the Gunners stay there or not- this is one of the momentous games.
Arsenal are undefeated in eight matches and have found the back of the net in the last seven. Arsenal have already travelled to Dortmund, Manchester City and Southampton and scored, in fact they found the net six times in those three ties.
Defeat is not an option for Arsene Wenger and considering i can see Liverpool scoring with their formidable strike force, I expect to see Arsenal to go all out for a goal- and get it.
Leyton Orient v Peterborough
3.00pm Saturday
These two sides occupied first and second place for the initial months of the League One season, however while one of the teams have continued with consistent displays and regular goal scoring, the other has struggled to keep up with the pack having gone on a dreadful run where they couldn’t buy a victory.
Leyton Orient are sitting pretty in third place just three points off top whereas are the side that have nose dived and currently occupy seventh place which leaves them outside the Play Offs.
Orient continue to battle on for automatic promotion after a terrific season where nobody would have expected them to be in the position they are. Victories home and away have left them in a situation where a place in the Championship next season is very much a viable prediction.
Back to our bet, the O’s have scored at least a goal in each of their last 12 games and have only failed to score once at home. Orient go in to the tie as favourites and there is little doubt that they’ll at least score once on Saturday afternoon.
Peterborough are still very much struggling after their well documented start to the season which found them top of the league. Each of their last four away games have resulted in defeat and while you may think this match is a foregone conclusion in terms of a result, the Posh did score in each of those four defeats leaving us with a very tasty BTTS prospect.
In fact Peterborough have scored at least once in their last 11 games which is just one less than the opposition. Winning games is very much a problem for Darren Ferguson’s side but goals seem to come much easier.
Carlisle v Gillingham
3.00pm Saturday
A huge seven places separate the sides in this clash however the real difference is just five points. Five vital points is what Carlisle will tell you as they sit only three points above the relegation places and need wins quick to avoid a very nervous end of season.
Gillingham on the other hand have soared up the table in recent times, having being deep in the relegation mire at one point but now sit comfortably in 11th.
Carlisle have looked to home form for solace this season having won just twice on their travels during the season. At Brunton Park, results have been a little better having picked up six wins and they have also scored in 11 of their last 12 ties and they will need to keep this up if they are to survive for another campaign.
The Cumbrian’s will see Gillingham as relegation rivals despite their admirable position and will be adamant in picking up a vital three points. They will not hold back.
Gillingham will make the massive trip to Carlisle fully aware that their opponents have conceded in all but two home games this season. This confidence in addition to recent form which has seen them pick up three wins in their last five games, all point towards goals for the Gills.
Even though I expect a win to be too much for the travelling outfit I can see them picking up a score draw or at least a consolation.
