Two And A Half Goals 
/ The Inside Man / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Can Stoke really score against Liverpool's back four where Jose Reina shines?
"With both Stoke and Liverpool set to go on the offensive, everything here points to goals."
The Inside Man picks four under/over 2.5 goals from this weekend's European offerings and he fancies an end-to-end affair when Stoke go to Liverpool
Saturday
Everton v Sunderland
Everton showed their intentions for this match by resting half a dozen players for their recent game at Liverpool. Certainly manager David Moyes will be desperate for a trophy, just something tangible to show for what have so far been 10 barren seasons at the club.
If Everton are to win this game though, they'll have to do it the hard way. Despite home games in each of the last three rounds, the Toffees failed each time to score more than twice, even against the likes of Tamworth.
Sunderland have been equally gritty during their cup run. Again, a lack of scoring on their behalf has seen three of their four games go under two and a half goals. It's also fair to say Martin O'Neill will have made this competition his priority.
Only goal difference separates these sides in the league. Both have stubborn defences, high work rate, yet a lack of creativity, meaning that this should be a classic ding-dong cup-tie that's high on effort but low on end-product.
Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 goals @ [1.73]
Birmingham v Middlesbrough
Following a season of European adventure, the fixture list's become hectic for Birmingham of late. Backlogged domestic matches have left boss Chris Hughton with the difficult challenge of scrapping for a play-off place, with just three or four days rest between games.
The result's been like watching a tiring middle-distance runner try to sprint the last 200 metres. There's been lots of rocking and rolling, and all recognisable form has gone out the window. Consequently, what would have been considered banker points have been dropped. But also the goal count has risen, with 17 goals in Brum's last five games having seen four of those matches go over the goals mark.
Luckily for us, Middlesbrough are the perfect team to take advantage of those loosening purse strings. Their last six away fixtures have all gone over two and a half goals, as Tony Mowbray's men have thrown the kitchen sink at games in a late bid for an automatic promotion spot. Twenty-four goals in those six matches says it all. Expect that run to continue here.
Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 goals @ [2.32]
Sunday
Liverpool v Stoke
Liverpool have admitted that securing a Champions League spot is going to be incredibly tough, and so what better way for Kenny Dalglish to cheer fans and owners alike than by delivering a Cup-double.
If they are to win it, then expect them to do it some style. Liverpool's home form in the league may have been stagnant and awkward, but it's been a different story in the Cup. Combining both Carling and FA Cup action, eight of the Merseysiders' 10 games so far were high on goals. And of the home fixtures involved, all four went high, at a stunning average of five goals per game.
Among those results was a 2-1 Carling Cup win at Stoke. With Stoke having scored twice in each of the previous three rounds, all of which were away from home by the way, the signs are that Tony Pulis has adopted a more adventurous approach for the Cup. So with both sides set to go on the offensive, everything here points to goals.
Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 goals @ [2.1]
Mallorca v Atletico Madrid
Following their midweek success in the Europa League, expect Atletico Madrid to ease back into their usual pattern of domestic play, which on their travels means being negative.
In 13 away games in Spain, Atletico have scored just 12 times. Focus seems to fall on defence, which as a result has seen them draw five of those 13. The approach is consistent, and the results evident, with five of Madrid's last six road games having gone under two and a half goals.
This could make for an awkward game against a Mallorca side who've also often failed to trouble the scoreboard operators. Just 16 goals in 13 matches at the Iberostar Stadium would normally constitute relegation form. But the Islanders can also boast a well-organised defence, with just 12 goals conceded at home explaining how Joaquin Caparros's side lie a reasonably comfortable six points clear of the drop zone.
With neither side desperate for the win, and Atletico's thoughts firmly on the Europa League, a repeat of their 1-1 draw from earlier this season looks a strong possibility.
Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 goals @ [1.75]
The Inside Man brings another blast of over/under 2.5 goal bets - three from England and one from Germany - and he's predicting an entertaining affair at Craven Cottage...
The Inside Man continues to use his inside knowledge to find the best bets from this weekend's over/under 2.5 goals markets....
The in-form Inside Man once again uses his inside knowledge to pick the best bets from this weekend's over/under 2.5 goals markets....
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