Two and a Half Goals Column: Count on goals at the Cottage

We're expecting plenty of goals at the Cottage today

The Inside Man is back with his Under/Over 2.5 Goals selections, and he believes Craven Cottage will see an early Christmas gift today, or in other words, plenty of goals...

Saturday

Fulham v Tottenham

Christmas has come early for goal backers thanks to this gift of a bet at Craven Cottage.

Fulham's six home games this season have produced 20 goals. That would have meant a payday on five of six occasions for those backing more than two and a half goals.

When Fulham play at home they really go for the three points, by getting plenty of bodies forward in attack and leaving themselves somewhat vulnerable on the break. This usually means plenty of goals, and today should be no different.

Indeed, Fulham's style could play right into the hands of a Spurs side who've been a license to print money when playing on the road. Of Tottenham's six away games so far, all six have been high scoring, producing on average just over four goals per game.

Tottenham's counter-attacking style should be perfectly suited to Fulham's 'get forward in numbers' approach. Likewise, given that Spurs have yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels, you have to expect Fulham to find the net at least once as well.

Like I said, it's a gift, which could also turn out to be an early Christmas cracker.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 2.5 goals @ 1.758/11

QPR v Aston Villa

You can almost smell the fear of failure that surrounds both teams as they head into this battle of the basement.

QPR are rock bottom of the table and desperate for a win, but there's only so much Harry Redknapp can have improved during his first week in charge. Remember that Rangers have scored just 10 goals in 14 league games so far. Redknapp may be a character, but a miracle worker? I don't think so.

Defensively, things at Loftus Road might not be as bad as you think. Even after such a terrible start to the season, exactly half of QPR's home games were still low-scoring. Rangers may have been losing, but they were rarely getting drubbed. A 0-0 draw at Sunderland in midweek showed once again that their defence is not the problem.

Villa meanwhile sit one point above the relegation zone. That's not a situation in which to be taking chances. Not losing is clearly the priority for them today. That suggests a careful approach from a team who've already proven to be cautious travelers, given that two thirds of their away games have been low-scoring.

Recommended Bet: Back Under 2.5 goals @ 1.834/5

Sunday

Norwich v Sunderland

After a shaky start, Chris Hughton has now found his feet at Carrow Road. No small achievement, considering the 5-0 humping his side got at Fulham on the opening day.

But how things have changed, especially with their defence, which has conceded just three goals in the last seven outings. That's a run in which they stopped both Manchester United and Arsenal from scoring. Quite a feat. All seven of those games were low-scoring.

And don't rely on Sunderland to supply the goals. Four of their seven away fixtures have ended in draws and adding another draw to that total might not be a bad result for them.

There is quite clearly pressure on Martin O'Neill to start getting results. Another defeat could see the Mackems drop into the relegation zone and perhaps cost O'Neill his job. A win though looks a tough ask away to a side who've only lost one in seven at home. And so a draw looks the best bet for a manager who needs to buy himself more time. Expect Sunderland to aim low here, in the hope of finishing high by the end of the season.

Recommended Bet: Back Under 2.5 goals @ 1.738/11

Deportivo La Coruna v Real Betis

This should make for an entertaining evening's viewing at the Stadio Riazor as struggling Deportivo look to get out of the drop zone by beating 5th placed Betis.

It's a surprise to see such a gulf between these sides in the table, especially when you consider Betis have only scored one goal more than Deportivo. Both sides have proved dangerous in front of goal. The difference lies with Deportivo's defence, which has shipped the second highest number of goals in the division.

And there's every reason to suspect there'll be goals in this game too. Deportivo's home fixtures have averaged three goals a game and they need a win to get out of the drop zone.

Also, going on the attack would appear their best approach against a side who concede on average more than two goals a game on their travels. Betis have been very much a boom or bust team on the road, mixing 5-3 and 4-2 wins with 4-0 and 5-1 defeats.

Betis sit just four points behind Real Madrid and that third Champions League spot. So I expect them to go for the win with everything they have.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 2.5 goals @ 1.9620/21