Prediction and odds for the game: Aston Villa (4/1) v Chelsea (13/20)
We are backing the over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 4/7
When: Saturday 14th March 2020, Kick-off 5:30 PM
Where: Villa Park
In Saturday’s late kick-off in the Premier League, Aston Villa host Chelsea at Villa Park in what could prove to be a vital game in the fight for survival and race for the Champions League spots.
Aston Villa
The Villans head into this game on the back of a woeful 4-0 defeat at Midlands rivals Leicester last time out. It was Villa’s fifth straight defeat in all competitions, and their fourth straight loss in the Premier League. The poor run of form leaves Dean Smith’s team 19th in the table, but just two points from safety.
Villa’s main problem this season has been conceding too many goals, as no team has conceded more goals than the home side this season. The four straight defeats in the top-flight have highlighted their defensive vulnerabilities, as Villa have conceded at least twice in all four losses.
The Villans recent home record is the definition of inconsistent, as they have won four and lost four of their last eight Premier League games at Villa Park. They have also conceded at least two goals in five of their last eight league matches on home soil.
Chelsea
The Blues seem to have rediscovered form at the right time to seal a place in next seasons Champions League. A 4-0 victory over Everton last time out in the top-flight means that Frank Lampard’s team are unbeaten in three Premier League games, having recorded two wins. The team from south west London have also regained their touch in front of goal of late, as they have scored at least twice in five of their last six league outings.
The recent decent run of form has kept Chelsea fourth-place in the table. However, Frank Lampard’s team are just three points clear of fifth-place Manchester United and five points clear of the likes of Wolves and Sheffield United. The Blues will know that they cannot afford any more slip-ups.
One negative for Chelsea heading into this clash is that they have failed to win in four away games in the Premier League. However, three of the four winless games have finished in draws. A factor in that poor recent away form in the top-flight is that Lampard’s team has kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 league matches away from Stamford Bridge.
Conclusion
These two teams could not be heading into this clash in more contrasting moods. Villa have been woeful of late in the top-flight, especially in defence, which is why we are backing the over 2.5 goals scored.
The other bet we are backing is Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud to be an anytime scorer. The French striker has scored twice in his last three league games. He is a striker who scores goals in streaks, which makes him a good bet to take advantage of Villa’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Verdict: We are backing the over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 4/7 and/or Olivier Giroud to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 6/5. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top at Villa Park on Saturday?
