Brentford v Norwich Betting Tips: A glut of goals to see out 2016 at Griffin Park

Brentford welcome Norwich to Griffin Park on New Years Eve – a match that looks as though it could be tailor-made for goals.

The start of the festive period didn’t treat either of these two teams all that well – Norwich were defeated at the hands of Reading, while Brentford twice had to come from behind against Cardiff to salvage a point in front of their own fans. As the two meet here, the result looks as though it’ll be tough to call, although there’s a feeling that goals could be on the agenda.

The duo of bets that stand out are ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ and ‘Over 3.5 Goals’ at odds of 10/11 and 9/4 respectively.

High-scoring games haven’t exactly been Brentford’s specialty at home this season, just 45% of their matches at Griffin Park have seen the ball hit the net more than twice, although goals seem to follow Norwich nearly everywhere they go with 83% of their away matches seeing three or more goals go in. It is the visitors’ tendency to be involved in goal-filled matches that should act as the catalyst here.

Alex Neil’s side like to play an expansive, attacking game, as shown by their 38 goals scored this season (a tally bettered by just three teams in the entire division). However, while such a style serves them well from a forward perspective, playing this way has often caused problems at the other end. Not only do Norwich score plenty of goals, but they also concede more than their fair share. The visitors’ goals against tally of 37 is the second worst in the top half of the table right now.

A positive for punters here is that Norwich’s attacking mentality should make for an open game. Brentford, who’ve fared pretty well going forward at home anyway should find themselves working with plenty of space in behind. Last time out the hosts, showed both their capabilities going forward and their frailties at the back. With this in mind, a team like Norwich could definitely come here and find joy in the final third.

Considering what’s mentioned above, it probably unsurprising to learn that Norwich have been involved in more away matches with four or more goals than anybody else in the Championship. 42% of The Canaries’ away games have seen at least four goals go in. While 42% might not seem all that high in general footballing terms, in this instance it really is. Given the way things have gone for both of these teams lately, especially last time out, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if we saw the net bulge on four occasions and, at the prices, it’s worth betting that we do.

The fact that both teams have scored in nine of Norwich’s 12 away matches also bodes well ahead of this fixture. Again, given how important a win for each team is after both failed to achieve maximum points on Boxing Day, goals at both ends is a likely outcome.

All in all, Norwich seem to be drawn to high-scoring matches this season. Alex Neil’s side have shown no signs of changing the way that they play and their mantra seems to very much be about getting through matches on their attacking quality. If this holds true on Saturday then both teams should be presented with scoring opportunities and the crowd at Griffin Park are expected to be treated to plenty of goals all-round.

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