Aston Villa host Fulham on Saturday lunchtime with both teams fighting for European spots making this one of the standout Premier League games of the weekend. Following some interesting stats around this game, I’m tipping Both Teams to Score and Ollie Watkins to Have 1+ Shots at 1.72.
Aston Villa
After Aston Villa were knocked out of the FA Cup, they need to focus on Champions League qualification. They will need to be more defensively sound, as Emery’s side have been involved in games seeing both teams to score in each of their last nine home games. Aston Villa have scored an average of 1.82 goals per game at Villa Park and have seen both teams score in their last nine home league matches. Their most recent games include a 4-1 win over Newcastle and a narrow last minute defeat to Manchester City, both of which saw goals at both ends. Defensively, Villa have only kept a clean sheet in just 12% of their home matches, suggesting that Fulham will be able to get on the scoresheet.
Fulham
Fulham are no strangers to goals in their games either. Marco Silva’s side average 1.47 goals per game and have been involved in both teams scoring in eight of their last eleven Premier League matches. Over the league season, 74% of their games have seen BTTS and with European football on the line, they will be gunning for a result against a Villa side low on confidence and morale.
In their last outing, Fulham managed to grab a last minute 2-1 away win over relegated Southampton showing their grit and determination. The Cottagers have only kept clean sheets in just 15% of their league games this season.
The previous meeting between these two sides earlier in the season ended in a 3-1 win to Aston Villa, aswell as the previous two Premier League meetings in the season prior.
Shot For Watkins?
Watkins has been Aston Villa’s talisman this season, scoring 15 league goals, nearly double that of his nearest teammate, Morgan Rogers with 8. In Watkins’ most recent start against Newcastle he contributed both a goal and an assist also registered five shots in the game.
Watkins has recorded at least one shot in 16 of his last 17 home games. Across the Premier League season, he averages 2.3 shots per game, with 63 of his 78 total shots coming from inside the penalty box. Watkins should start, especially with Marcus Rashford reportedly injured.
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