After a shots winner on Tuesday, our football props column is sticking in the same market for Wednesday’s clash between Crystal Palace and Arsenal…
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Wednesday 19 May, 19:00
Live on BT Sport 1
On Tuesday, Stuart Dallas delivered the two of more shots this column wanted.
Wilfried Zaha can do the same on Wednesday evening.
With their Premier League status secured, Palace have taken the shackles off somewhat in recent games, recording shot tallies of 23-11-21 in their most recent matches. All three were above their shots-per-game average for the season.
Zaha has played his part in this, managing five attempts on goal in Sunday’s end-to-end clash with Aston Villa. In the game before – at Southampton – he also hit two, this despite having been pushed wider of late.
Overall, he’s now landed this bet in 17 of his 28 Premier League starts this season, including the reverse fixture at the Emirates.
There are other factors which make two or more shots look a good bet at 8/11.
It is boss Roy Hodgson’s last home game and his players will surely be looking to give him a good send-off, despite having little to play for.
Perhaps crucially, the fans will be back inside Selhurst Park which should provide a spark and Zaha is exactly the short of player who thrives off a good atmosphere. I would not be surprised to see him head off on an early dribble and fire away a long-range effort just to get the crowd up.
Interestingly, three of the four home teams on Tuesday night out-shot their shots-per-game average which bodes well.
Finally, Arsenal are in need of a result as they cling to hopes of European football next season. To stand any chance of qualifying, they have to win this game so will have to attack, at least at some point.
Palace are adept at hitting teams on the counter-attack, while even if Arsenal do get ahead early and try to see the game out, that sort of bunker mentality will lead to shots in some form or other – they all count even if they are blocked.
It’s not a price to float everyone’s boat, but if you are seeking something bigger, there are 15/2 and 14/1 props bets in our preview of Burnley v Liverpool.
Source: Betfair Premier League
