West Brom v Aston Villa: One Benteke goal likely to be enough
Published:
The big question heading into the midlands derby between West Brom and Aston Villa is which of the pair are capable of scoring twice?
They have only netted 24 goals in 30 top-flight matches between them this season and sit in the bottom four in the division for the number of shots they have had on target.
Why this is important is that this fixture has proved notorious of late for thrown-away leads. In the last three meetings, one of the rivals have raced into a two-goal lead and have failed to secure the three points.
Goals have not been common for the Baggies of late, with only two scored since the start of November – an own goal and another from defender Craig Dawson.
It is hard to see them coming from behind here, given that no team has kept more Premier League away clean sheets this season than Paul Lambert’s men.
Therefore, the 9/2 that Villa come from behind to either win or draw, which would extend their unbeaten run to six games, looks good value if the trend is to be continued.
What also looks good value is the 2/1 that Christian Benteke scores in the 90 minutes for Villa.
The Belgian has missed much of the season through either injury or suspension, but in his five appearances he has amassed the same number of shots as strike partner Gabby Agbonlahor has in 13 starts.
Benteke did everything but score in another midlands derby against Leicester last time and has found the target in two of his last three meetings with West Brom.
Given that he is also far and away Villa’s biggest goal threat, those believing that it will be Paul Lambert’s men that open the scoring may be appreciative of the 5/1 that he bags the opener.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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