Football Tips: Expect goals galore in Saturday’s two 12.30pm kick-offs

Infogol’s Jake Osgathrope has been doing his homework for this Saturday's early Premier League kick offs.

The Premier League is doubling up on Saturday with two matches kicking off at 12.30pm – and both could have a huge impact on the relegation battle at the bottom.

Norwich vs West Ham: BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals Same Game Multi

BT Sport 1

It’s last chances saloon for Norwich who get relegated if they lose this game, but the signs aren’t good as defeat at Watford means they will have lost their last six. The performance at Watford was much improved though, as they actually won the xG battle at Vicarage Road (xG: WAT 1.2 – 1.3 NOR), generating over 1.0 xGF for the first time since the restart.

Daniel Farke’s side have obviously struggled throughout the entire campaign, and the main reason they are cut adrift is their home form which is the worst in the league (1.1 xGF, 1.9 xGA per game). West Ham were very unfortunate to lose to Burnley in midweek, as they once again created plenty of good chances, only this time they failed to take them.

That was the third straight game that David Moyes’ side had racked up over 2.0 xGF, which is a huge positive heading into the final few games, and especially into this match, where a win could move them further clear of trouble.

West Ham last 10 Premier League games

Issues have arisen on the road though this season for West Ham, winning just three of 17 away matches and none during David Moyes’ time in charge (7 away games), posting poor xG figures in those matches (1.1 xGF, 2.1 xGA per game). West Ham look short enough to win this game, but Norwich should have a go at them, so swerving the Hammers at the price is sensible, and instead we’re focusing on the goals market.

Given both sides propensities to concede good chances, and West Ham’s recent upturn in attacking numbers, both teams should notch here, and we should see over 2.5 goals.

More footy tips for Saturday:

Watford vs Newcastle: BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals Same Game Multi

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Watford did their survival hopes the world of good in midweek by beating Norwich, with Danny Welbeck’s sensational over-head kick proving decisive in a game that the Hornets actually lost the xG battle. Nonetheless that was their first win since the restart and only their second in 12 league matches, so it was much-needed, and leaves them in a good position heading into this, another winnable home game.

Watford last 10 home Premier League games

Since Nigel Pearson’s appointment, Watford have been the eighth-best home team according to expected points, posting an impressive home process of 1.7 xGF and 1.4 xGA per game, so they should go close to another home win here. Newcastle were thumped 5-0 by Manchester City in midweek, a defeat that brought their six matches unbeaten Premier League run to an end (xG: MCI 3.2 – 0.3 NEW).

That was their worst display for some time, no surprise given the opponent they faced, but it also saw a switch to aback five, which has hampered their attacking play all season long. Since a switch to a back four at the end of February, Newcastle had begun to play more like a top-half team according to underlying numbers, ranking up the eighth-most xPoints since 28th Feb.

A reversion to that back four for this game is expected, and so we should see a more attack-minded Newcastle team than we did at City, a team that has averaged 1.5 xGF and 1.4 xGA per game in their last seven (which includes the heavy defeat at City).

They aren’t playing for anything as the season draws to a close, but they have been an entertaining watch, and that should continue here, with goals expected, and specifically both teams netting.

Infogol’s tips for Saturday’s 12.30pm games

Norwich vs West Ham: BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals Same Game Multi
Watford vs Newcastle: BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals Same Game Multi

The two tips above are available as a combined PP News Power Price Special in the widget below.

*All odds are always bang up to date on our snazzy widgets

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