Overs or Unders: Goal backers to find Forest on fire

It's Patriot Games at the CIty Ground, as two former England coaches clash.

After two winning selections from two, Neil Harvey has chosen a game from the Championship for his standout bet of this weekend, as he takes us through which matches he thinks will go Under, and which will go Over, the 2.5 goals mark...

Saturday

Arsenal v Manchester City - 12:45

Normally, when title contenders meet this early in the season, you might expect a cautious approach from both sides. Top managers must assume their close rivals won't drop many easy points over a campaign, making these games that much more important.  But this match could be one of the exceptions to that general rule, with both Arsenal and City needing to stamp their authority following stuttering starts to the season.

City well and truly tripped up last week. A home loss to Stoke is not title winning form. Likewise, Arsene Wenger can't have been too impressed with his side's scratchy win over Crystal Palace and draws with Everton and Leicester. The Gunners already find themselves four points behind Chelsea, a gap they won't want to grow.

Both these sides can struggle when up against defensive-minded teams. But both City and Arsenal are essentially attacking teams, packed with creativity. So against each other, and with a positive mindset, they could produce something highly entertaining. The Gunners beat City 3-0 just a month ago in the Community Shield, which also bodes well for our expectation of goals.

Recommended Bet
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.910/11

Crystal Palace v Burnley - 15:00

Crystal Palace and Burnley occupy the last two places in the Premier League, with both on just one point. But I'd venture it's the Lancastrians who'll be the happier with their predicament. Burnley can't have expected to earn too many points from opening fixtures against Chelsea, Man Utd and Swansea. But the Clarets turned in competitive performances in all three games, culminating in that hard-earned point against United.

And they should fancy their chances of taking something from Selhurst Park, against a Palace side that's understandably been inconsistent since the shock departure of Tony Pulis. The Eagles have shown flashes of quality. Almost derailing Arsenal, and scrapping to a draw at Newcastle. But the home loss to West Ham must have been highly worrying.

Burnley's approach on the road, as you'd probably expect from the division's new boys, seems to focus on staying in the game. And I think they're more than capable of doing that here - since Palace have four strikers at their disposal, who've scored only three goals in ten appearances between them.

Recommended Bet
Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.684/6

Sunday

Nottingham Forest v Derby County - 13:15

This will be something like a failed version of the sorcerer and the apprentice, when former England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce goes up against ex-England manager Steve McClaren. Neither enjoyed much success on the international stage. But both have reason to be hopeful about the current domestic season.

Pearce's Forest have made a storming start to their campaign, sitting top of the Championship with four wins and a draw from five. A 4-0 win over Reading in their last home match was the pick of the results in a season where Forest have yet to fail to score. With confidence at a high, we should expect a buoyant City Ground and a home team on the offensive.

But don't be surprised if Derby get among the goals too. Steve McClarens's team have scored nine goals in their last four matches. And positioned just one place outside the play-offs, they too should have little to fear going into this game. The history between these clubs can only serve to fuel the atmosphere. And Forest will have extra incentive to go for the throat, as they look to avenge last season's humbling 5-0 loss in Derby.

Recommended Bet
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.9210/11

Manchester United v QPR - 16:00

After stumbling to two points from three games, the stats are already out, suggesting Louis Van Gaal has made a worse start to the season than his ill-fated predecessor, David Moyes.

The former Netherlands coach isn't likely to panic just yet. He's too experienced for that. Plus he has a wealth of new signings at his disposal to help rectify things. But Van Gaal must be a little concerned at how such an talented array of attacking players has produced so few goals. And new additions Di Maria and Falcao, as brilliant as they are, are likely to need time to find their feet in the much quicker English game.

United will come good. We all know it. But it might not be this weekend, against an awkward QPR side led by the wily Harry Redknapp. Harry has the likes of Joey Barton and Sandro whom he can employ as spoilers. And with Ferdinand and Dunne among its ranks, QPR's defence boasts the kind of experience that could make life difficult for a United team still trying to find its feet.

Recommended Bet
Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.3411/8