The Goalscorer Gamble: Bully Defoe will batter Bradford

Can Jermain Defoe prove to be the difference between Sunderland and Bradford?

Dan Fitch returns with five more goalscorer tips and is putting his money on Sunderland's Jermain Defoe to score against Bradford. 

It was a case of so near yet so far last week, as we marginally missed out on a nice profit. Alexander Meier was on the scoresheet at an exceptional price but though Danny Ings was on target he failed to score the first goal as predicted.

Such near misses are depressing but provide inspiration that a change in luck can only be around the corner. Considering that it's Valentine's Day perhaps the stars will alight and we'll all end up taking our loved ones out armed with a pocket stuffed full of pound notes.

We start in the FA Cup with the match between giant-killing Bradford and Premier League Sunderland. It's a player with established pedigree that we're interested in. Jermain Defoe has already scored twice since his move back to England and will fancy his chances against lower league opposition.

I've never quite got why Defoe is rated so highly in some circles. His numbers just aren't that great and his record against top teams is poor. He is however, a first-class flat-track bully and against League One opponents who have conceded in each of their past five games, Defoe is decent value to score at 2.77/4.

Next we go to Germany for last week's single success story. Alexander Meier is the Bundesliga's top scorer this season with 14 goals, but is consistently available at large prices to continue his streak.

There are of course bigger names in the Bundesliga that the 32-year-old Meier, though there are few players in Germany that are physically larger than the 6ft 5" second-striker. Meier and his Eintracht Frankfurt colleagues are up against high-flying Augsburg this weekend. Augsburg are in contention for Champions League qualification but have only kept one clean sheet in their last ten games. Back Meier to score first at 6.5n/a.

Another in-form attacker is Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann. The French international scored 20 goals from the flanks for Real Sociedad last season and could better that total in his debut season with Atletico, having already notched 15 in 34 games.

He's been particularly potent of late, with four goals in as many games. After last week's sensational 4-0 win over Real Madrid - in which Griezmann scored the third goal - Atletico look certain to turn over mid-table Celta Vigo. Put faith in him at the very generous price of 3.02/1.

Another French international who can't stop scoring is Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette. The 23-year-old enjoyed his breakout year last season as he plundered 22 goals, yet it's a total that he's already bettered this term. 

Lacazette has 25 goals in all and has an astonishing 21 in 22 league games. He's an early bird too, scoring the first goal in five of his past ten matches. Back him to score the opener against relegation threatened Lorient at 5.59/2.

From a player who made his first significant goalscoring impact last season, to one that is doing just that in this one. Palermo's Argentine striker Paulo Dybala has burst into prominence this season and is one of Serie A's top scorers with 11 goals in 19 games. 

This weekend all eyes will be on Dybala as Napoli take the short trip from the mainland to Sicily. Napoli are in fine form but have nevertheless conceded in four of their last five games. With that in mind, let's take a gamble on Dybala adding to his burgeoning reputation by scoring at 3.259/4.

Recommended Bets
Best Bet: Back Jermain Defoe to score at 2.77/4
Back Alexander Meier to score first at 6.5n/a
Back Antoine Griezmann to score at 3.02/1
Back Alexandre Lacazette to score first at 5.59/2
Back Paulo Dybala to score at 3.259/4