With the Grand National and an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to on Saturday you could be forgiven for overlooking the four Premier League matches. However, you would be foolish to do so as every game has something riding on it, none more so than the early game between Norwich and Manchester City.
Norwich v Manchester City 12:45pm
City fans will have all but given up on the Premier League after last week’s defeat to Arsenal. However, they may travel to Carrow Road in a more optimistic mood after rivals Manchester United lost to Wigan, while City beat West Brom 4-0. Manager Roberto Mancini might still believe the title is out of their reach but victory at Norwich, coupled with another United slip-up will mean the Manchester derby could be a title decider again.
Having played without any pressure on them on Wednesday, we could see a return to the pessimistic and frail looking outfit which never really got going at the Emirates Stadium last week. City’s away form has been dreadful since November, with just two wins in 10 games hampering their title hopes. Given their poor form, it might come as a surprise to know you can back Norwich at 6/1 to win in the match betting, with City at 8/15 and the draw at 3/1.
The Canaries caused a big upset with a win at Tottenham on Easter Monday and will be flying (pardon the pun) ahead of the visit of City. The last time the Eastlands outfit visited Carrow Road, Delia Smith’s famous ‘Let’s be avin you’ rallying cry failed to inspire her beloved Norwich as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat. Norwich will hope the TV chef doesn’t have to get on the pitch this time, although five wins from 44 matches against City suggests she might have to have a word. With that in mind the draw at 3/1 could be the best bet.
Sunderland v Wolves 3pm
The situation for Wolves is pretty simple – lose at Sunderland on Saturday and leave yourself needing to get something from the trip to Manchester City the following week to avoid relegation.
The Molineux outfit looked destined for the drop after slipping nine points from safety following their defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday. Every club at the bottom has shown some signs of life recently, except for Terry Connor’s men and they look to have already given up the fight.
With Wolves having conceded at least two goals in the last nine games, Sunderland with a -1 handicap at 11/8 looks like the bet of the weekend. Martin O’Neill’s men have little to play for but the Northern Irish manager will be looking for a reaction after being hammered at Everton in their last outing.
Swansea City v Blackburn 3pm
After a fantastic season Swansea look as though they might cross the line with a bit of a whimper following four straight defeats. Despite having not made it past the 40-point mark, some of Brendan Rodgers’ players seem to already be planning their summer holidays. They have scored just once in the last four matches and have seen fortress Liberty stormed twice in that time by Everton and Newcastle. Despite all that they are still favourites at Evens in the match betting, with Rovers on offer at 3/1 and the draw at 12/5.
Blackburn might feel unlucky not to have beaten Liverpool on Tuesday but they failed to take their chances, something they can’t afford to do in Wales given how well the Swans keep the ball. Yakubu grabbed his 15th and 16th goals of the season against the Reds and between him and Junior Hoilett, Blackburn have a couple of players capable of winning the game. Yakubu to score anytime at 15/8 might be worth a punt, as might Rovers to win the game at 3/1.
West Brom v QPR 3pm
Has Mark Hughes finally turned things around at Loftus Road? Three wins in the last five would suggest so, with Rangers finding some form at just the right time. However, those wins have all come at home and on the road you have to go all the way back to November to find their last away win.
The Hawthorns used to be a place visiting teams liked going to but Roy Hodgson has put that right, winning three of the last four as they continue to maintain a place in mid table. West Brom’s results have been tough to predict this season and as such it might be best to sit on the fence for this one, with the draw at 12/5 in the match betting. If you are feeling brave West Brom are 11/10, while QPR are 13/5.
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