"Indeed the goals continue to flow at both ends, with nine of the Eagles’ last 10 games in all competitions having been high scoring. And that’s a run I expect to continue."
Verdict: Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.35/4
Neil Harvey returns with his popular column looking at four weekend fixtures in the Premier League in which he tries to determine whether they'll go Over, or Under the 2.5 Goals mark...
Saturday
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace - 15:00
Both teams have had disappointing starts to the season. Newcastle mustered just a draw from their opening two games, while Palace suffered back to back defeats.
Unable to find the net so far, Newcastle will surely be focusing on creating more up front. I doubt there is cause for genuine concern though. Those two matches aside, United have scored in their previous 10 games. And now they are presented with an ideal opportunity to get back on the goal trail, as they host a Crystal Palace side that's temporarily lost its mojo.
Five goals conceded in two matches will be a big concern to new Palace manager Neil Warnock. Not that he's had sufficient time to address that defensive problem. Last week's 3-1 home loss to the Hammers would be relegation form if maintained. But Palace, shaken as they were by the departure of their guru Tony Pulis, didn't become a bad side overnight. So I'm expecting a quick improvement from the team that finished 11th last season.
The positive news for Palace, is that they are still finding the net, having scored against both Arsenal and West Ham. Indeed the goals continue to flow at both ends, with nine of the Eagles' last 10 games in all competitions having been high scoring. And that's a run I expect to continue.
Verdict: Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.35/4
Everton v Chelsea - 17:30
Everton's improvement under Roberto Martinez's demands they now be considered among the top teams in the country. Last season's fifth place was a laudable achievement. And it was built largely on a solid defence that ranked third in the Premier League. On average, the Toffees conceded exactly one goal per game at Goodison Park. And this made them a tough team to beat at home, as they suffered just three losses there all season.
The prize for the best defence though, went to Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho's side conceding less than a goal a game, even when playing away from home. Of course, both clubs were able to rack up goals against the lesser sides. But when it came to the bigger games, it was noticeable how often defence came to the fore. And it's perhaps a mark of just how seriously these teams take each other, that only one goal was scored in each of their two encounters last season.
That respect between the clubs remains and I'm anticipating another watchful approach from both managers this Saturday.
Verdict: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.834/5
Sunday
Tottenham v Liverpool - 13:30
Last season, Liverpool were as close as you're ever likely to get to having a license to print money. Anyone who consistently backed 'overs' on their matches would have finished the year with an extremely handsome profit. Since Brendan Rogers arrived as manager, the Reds have been a joy to behold, both for fans and goal backers. And the early indications from this season are that the Anfield goals juggernaut isn't slowing down.
A 2-1 win at home to Southampton and a 3-1 loss at Man City suggest we are looking at a similar Liverpool side to that which almost snatched the title last season - one that's potent up front, yet vulnerable at the back. And while the departure of Luis Suarez may have left some goal backers concerned, the arrival of proven marksmen Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli guarantees there'll be no let-up in the action.
Tottenham meanwhile have been surprisingly potent under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, whose two striker approach has seen Spurs net 26 times in just nine games in all competitions since he took over. And that kind of positivity, when employed against Liverpool, can surely only result in yet more goals.
Verdict: Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.728/11
Aston Villa v Hull - 13:30
Four points from the available six for both sides make this a game where neither team is under any particular pressure. Both can afford to be patient and employ the same caution that served them so well in their opening two games. For Villa, that produced a 1-0 win at Stoke followed by a 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle. While Hull were equally unexciting in their 1-0 win at QPR and 1-1 draw at home to Stoke.
With this watchful approach having served both clubs so well until now, there's no reason to suspect anything will change this week. Moreover, there's evidence that this miserly approach is the style both sides adopt naturally anyway. For example, Villa's last five matches have all been low scoring. They produced just three goals in total and included two goalless draws! Meanwhile Hull have been only marginally more productive, with seven of their last ten games in all competitions ending up 'unders'.
With Christian Benteke still injured, Villa manager Paul Lambert remains without his main source of goals. And Steve Bruce's recent signing of defender Michael Dawson shows where Hull's immediate priorities lie.
Verdict: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.511/2
Against All Odds 
/ Adam Preston / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 
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