Bayern have endured an ominous start of the second part of their season after the winter break. Losing the first game and drawing the second. They surely will not falter for a third time, especially when you look at their opponents today. Stuttgart have lost four of their last 5 home games and they've only actually won once there in 10 games, not good form when the Champions are on their way over! Bayern have scored at least two goals in each of their last 6 visits to this ground and they will be in determined mood to get a result here today. Ribery, Lahm and Boateng will not feature in this game due to injuries and suspensions, but we still expect Bayern to get back to winning ways and if they find one goal, they should be able to find a second and Stuttgart will come out looking for a goal if they go behind. Guardiola insists that the team from Munich are on the right track and believes they "played much better" against Schalke compared to the Wolfsburg game.
Swansea will be missing their influential midfield man Gylfi Sigurðsson through suspension and he will be a big miss for them after his sparkling form upon his return to the Liberty Stadium. Sunderland's gamble on Defoe may yet pay off, he's already off the mark with a goal as you would expect for a striker of his caliber. Swansea nicked a win last time out thanks to a super strike from Shelvey, but that game was their only clean sheet in their last five Premier League games. You can get decent odds on Sunderland (and Defoe) just to score if you wish to change this bet up. We feel that the last couple of performances from Sunderland will have boosted confidence. Sunderland may have lost two of their last 7 away games, but they were both close encounters at a resurgent Spurs and Champions Man City; they really are much improved on the road since that 8-0 thumping at Southampton way back in October.
Both these teams are in fine scoring form and they have produced some classic Premier League games over the year. Spurs seem to be getting their act together of late and Harry Kane is showing signs of real promise, he reminds us of a young Alan Shearer in the way he's going about his business. Spurs struck 5 against Chelsea and hit Sunderland for 2 at home after that and they also found the back of the net three times on their visit to West Brom, where they could of easily been pegged back if were not for Hugo Lloris and his goalkeeping heroics. Arsenal brushed Aston Villa aside last time out striking 5 times without reply and they also looked the part against Man City where they pounced to score two at the Etihad. Both teams are more than capable of scoring and we're hoping for another Premier League classic here.
Dijon started the season well, but now they are in crisis mode. Dijon has seemingly lost the ability to defend of late conceding 12 in their last four league games and suffering defeat in each of those games. Sochaux have done well on the road this season, despite losing their last game to top of the league. They scored in every away game before that encounter and were undefeated this season away from Stade Auguste-Bonal. Sochaux look highly likely to score here given Dijons recent form and we feel it's a great bet and the odds sit nice with us.
Palace look a real threat for a goal under Pardew and it took a for Everton to keep them out last time. Crystal Palace didn't score in the last game, but created numerous chances and that makes us more assured with this type of bet as we will happily back a team that can create chances at this level. Leicester are rooted to the bottom of the league and they can claim just two clean sheets at home so far this season (four in total home and away over 23 games). Palace have scored 5 in 3 league games under Pardew and we don't see The Foxes keeping them out here.
Norwich have really been banging the goals in at Carrow Road in recent weeks netting 15 times in their last 4 games. There have been over 2.5 goals in Norwich’s last 7 home games and we are expecting an unchanged side this afternoon to back up the consistency behind this pick. Opponents Blackpool conceded 7 in their last away game and do on average concede around 2 goals on their travels. The Tangerines have not won away from home all season and we don’t expect that trend to change today. Expect a dominate Norwich performance as they look to secure a position in the play-offs.
Bolton came close in the week to getting to the next stage of the FA Cup but dreams were quickly dashed by a stunning Coutinho goal. Their midweek action will have taken its toll on Bolton especially playing against a side who perform at a higher pace. Derby are poised to give some playing time to both Tom Ince and Jesse Lingard who have both proved they can be very successful at this level. Derby have won and kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches and The Rams have netted at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 home matches. Derby have scored the majority of their goals in the second half of matches this season both home and away. Derby have an exceptional record at home to Bolton and we expect them to have the better of this fixture.
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