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Gunners must clip Canaries wings

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With the FA Cup final taking place later in the day the Premier League serves up an interesting appetiser in the form of Arsenal against Norwich at 12:45pm. For the Gunners it is a must-win game given recent results as they look to hold onto third. Could a care free Norwich throw a spanner in the works though?

The Gunners fans might have expected their team to have wrapped up third by this point, with two matches to go, given they were well clear off the chasing pack at one point. However, with Arsenal having failed to win any of their last three they have been reeled in by the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham, with both teams just a point behind.

Arsenal must now win their last two games against Norwich and West Brom to make sure of a place in next season’s Champions League, with fourth not guaranteeing anything this year due to Chelsea’s participation in the final against Bayern Munich.

Arsenal won seven home games on the bounce in all competitions before the shock defeat to Wigan and will need to rediscover that golden touch to find a way past Norwich. While the Canaries have lost their last three they have shown on a couple of occasions they can hang with the Premier League’s big boys, winning on their last trip to north London when they beat Tottenham.

If you fancy Norwich to complete a north London double you can back them at 14/1 in the match betting, with Arsenal 2/9 and the draw 5/1. Given that they have secured their place in the top flight for next season you might imagine the Norwich players are already ‘on the beach’. However, Paul Lambert will be keen to get a good performance out of his team following defeats to Manchester City, Blackburn and Liverpool.

Norwich have won five games away from home this season, four of which have come in 2012 as they took three points away from QPR, West Brom, Swansea and Tottenham. However, keeping a clean sheet on the road has been a big problem for Norwich and they have yet to manage it away from Carrow Road.

With that in mind between three and five goals at 4/6 could be worth a punt, especially with Robin van Persie having ended his mini drought last week.

The Football Writers’ Player of the Year has had a fantastic season and his equaliser against Stoke was his 38th goal of the season in all competitions and he can be backed at 2/1 to score two or more against the leaky Canaries.

Van Persie will lead the line again for Arsenal as Wenger gets set to name an unchanged line-up from the one that drew with Stoke last week. The Frenchman has just one new injury to contend with after Abou Diaby was ruled out for the rest of the season.

As far as Norwich are concerned Lambert might decide to make changes to his starting XI after their disappointing display against Liverpool last weekend, with Grant Holt pushing for a recall.

The Gunners should be comfortable winners if they can rediscover a bit of the form which saw them catapult themselves into third and can be backed at 8/13 to beat the Canaries with a minus one handicap if you are looking for a bit more value.

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Saints to clip Robins’ wings

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Southampton take on Bristol City on Friday knowing that any result other than a defeat will see them start the New Year top of the Championship table. But Saints will be looking for all three points against a side struggling at the wrong end of the table and  will they get them? (Southampton 4/9, Bristol City 7/1, draw 3/1 Match Prices).

Southampton have not sampled life in the Premier League for more than six years and there have been plenty of low points since relegation at the end of the 2004-2005 campaign after 27 years of top-flight football.

But things are now very much on the up and Nigel Adkins appears to have assembled a squad capable of returning to the promised land (Southampton 6/4 Championship Outright).

Whether they could stay there is another matter and a debate for another day, as Saints welcome the west country side to St Mary’s Stadium to try and add another three points to their impressive tally of 47.

The odds on a Southampton win reflect their dominance at home this season with just two points dropped to date and there seems no reason to suggest that their unbeaten record on the south coast will go on Friday evening.

If they avoid defeat it will mean that Saints have gone an entire calendar year unbeaten at home and that is a statistic that deserves to see the club return to the top tier of English football.

But City fans can take some heart from the fact that Adkins’ charges have not been in the best of form of late with just one win from their past four games, with Doncaster beating them at the Keepmoat Stadium and Blackpool spoiling their perfect home record with a 2-2 draw on December 10.

But it is still an ominous home record and, with Bristol hovering just above the relegation zone, Derek McInnes‘ side will have it all to do.

One positive for City is the fact that they have taken more points on the road this term than at Ashton Gate with three wins and three draws away from home already.

However, they have not won in five games with just two points out of a possible 15 from a 2-2 draw with Watford and a goalless draw at home to Nottingham Forest.

Indeed the last time the City fans celebrated a win was against Friday’s opponents, following a 2-0 victory over Southampton in Bristol on November 26.

That seems like a long time ago in football terms but at least the City players know that they can beat the table-toppers if they play to their potential.

A few Robins’ stars have been bullish about their chances of turning Southampton over with defender Lewin Nyatanga confident that they can do the double over the 1976 FA Cup winners.

But he and his fellow members of the rearguard will have to stop a rampant Saints side who have already scored 30 goals at home this term.

City have only scored 21 goals all season and 12 have come away from home and with uncertainty surrounding the future of top-scorer Nicky Maynard, it is unclear where the goals will come from on Friday night.

McInnes has defended the former Crewe Alexander man, who looks set to leave in the January transfer window, but it is open to question whether his head will be right for a game of this magnitude, given the fact that his own supporters have started to turn against him.

But City need him to play and to be on top of his game to have any chance of getting anything out of this one.

In terms of team news for Saints, Richard Chaplow looks set to miss the clash after picking up a knee injury in training while Steve De Ridder may keep his place in the Southampton side.

The heart says that the Robins might spring a surprise and take all three points but the head is definitively going to overrule and suggest that this will be a comfortable home win by at least two clear goals.

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Canaries can clip Magpies wings

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The Premier League teams will be tested to the maximum over the festive period, with a packed fixture list. Injuries and suspensions are starting to kick in and could have a major impact this weekend – with the rarity of all seven matches kicking off at 3pm.

Norwich v Newcastle

Newcastle’s blistering start has come to an end during a recent tough spell, which has seen the Magpies pick up just one point from their last three games – against Manchester city, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Alan Pardew has lost first-choice centre-back partnership Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor to injury and that may see them slip to a third defeat in four games, when they travel to Carrow Road.

Norwich have surprised many this term and have lost just two of their seven home fixtures to date. The Canaries have also scored the joint-most headed goals in the top division (seven), with Steve Morison and Grant Holt likely to cause a makeshift Newcastle backline problems.

Suggested Bet: Norwich to win @ 6/4

Arsenal v Everton

The Gunners go into this game as strong favourites and it seems highly unlikely they will slip up against an Everton team desperately struggling for goals. The Merseysiders have not won at Arsenal since 1996 and that run looks set to continue.

Mikel Arteta will be particularly keen to show Everton what they are missing and Robin van Persie will be fresh having sat out the midweek Champions League trip to Greece.

Suggested Bet: Van Persie to score 2 or more @ 11/4

Man Utd v Wolves

Sir Alex Ferguson has endured arguably his worst week as United boss for ten years, with the shock midweek Champions League exit and the news that captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season.

The champions normally respond though from key setbacks and Wolves will be fearing a backlash. A lack of striking options will mean Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney should start up front and they will be desperate to quash talk of an Old Trafford crisis.

Suggested Bet: Welbeck to score at anytime @ 8/11

Liverpool v QPR

Kenny Dalglish’s men are unbeaten at home this season, but draws against Swansea and Norwich have frustrated fans and management alike. An unfortunate defeat at Fulham on Monday makes this a must-win game for the Reds as they look to keep pace in the race for the top four.

QPR are capable of causing any team problems on their day, recording victories over Chelsea and at Stoke this season. Their away form has been more miss than hit though and the stats suggest they will struggle to clinch a second ever win at Anfield – their first coming in 1991.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Liverpool FT @ 7/2

Bolton v Aston Villa

Bolton’s home form is one of the biggest puzzles of the Premier League to date – their record at the Reebok is normally impressive, but they have lost six of their seven home games this term. The only win was a crushing 5-0 success over Stoke but Villa could provide Owen Coyle’s men with their second scalp.

Villa have struggled with form and injuries in recent weeks and head to the North West having failed to win on the road this season. Pressure is already growing on Alex McLeish, who was an unpopular appointment among many Villa fans.

Suggested Bet: Bolton win @ 6/4

Swansea v Fulham

These two teams are almost a mirror image, hard to break down but struggling for goals. The Swans and Cottagers have scored just 30 goals between them this term so expect a low scoring affair.

Martin Jol’s men gained a much needed win over Liverpool which will boost their confidence, but Swansea have the pace to cause a sluggish Fulham backline some problems.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6

West Brom v Wigan

The Baggies have not pulled up any trees so far this season and their home form – two wins from seven matches – will be a concern for Roy Hodgson. They look strong enough though not to be dragged into a relegation battle…..unlike their opponents on Saturday.

Many believe Wigan are already doomed, but they have picked up four points from their last three games and did take four points off West Brom last season – which included a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ 13/5

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Addicks to clip Owls’ wings

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The international break has seen England’s top two divisions take a break this weekend, which gives the lower leagues a chance to take centre-stage and a mouth-watering League One clash awaits on Monday evening as Charlton look to maintain their unbeaten start against Sheffield Wednesday at the Valley.

Chris Powell’s new-look Addicks side, which boasts 18 new signings from the end of last term, has made a strong start to the campaign as they are yet to taste defeat in five outings.

And, three points against Gary Megson’s Owls will see them return to joint-top spot alongside MK Dons and Sheffield United, while victory by four clear goals (40/1 Charlton 4-0 Correct Score) will see them top of the pile by 10pm on Monday night.

Charlton have played only two league matches on home soil so far and have picked up four points from a possible six, although Powell will feel they should still be boasting a 100 per cent record after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Scunthorpe last time out.

But a recent 2-1 Carling Cup win against Championship side Reading tells you that the Londoners could well be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Powell will have a strong side to pick from but will no doubt be hoping that his influential striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (11/8 Anytime Goalscorer) can overcome the knee problem which ruled him out of last week’s 2-1 win at Bury.

The former Manchester City forward has scored two goals in three games and provided three assists so far and he will provide a big threat to the Owls’ backline, which has conceded four goals in their two League One away games this season.

Megson’s side come into the game after a mixed start to the season in which they have won all three games at Hillsborough, but are pointless from two outings on the road.

Therefore it will be a tough ask for the South Yorkshire men to break their duck against Charlton on Monday (11/4 Away 90 Minutes).

However, their attack will be bolstered by pre-transfer deadline day signing Ryan Lowe from Bury.

The hitman scored seven goals in as many games for the Shakers, including one against the Addicks, so Megson will be hoping he can repeat that feat on his debut, while  fellow new signing Daniel Kasnik could also feature at some point.

Weighing up the recent form of the two sides going into the clash, everything points towards a home victory with a repeat of last season’s 1-0 win for the Addicks (6/1 Correct Score) a distinct possibility.

However, we feel there could be a few more goals in this game given the quality of the attacking players that will be on show in both line ups.

Prediction: Charlton Home 90 Minutes @ Evens
Value Bet:  Charlton 3-2 Correct Score @ 25/1

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Hoops bid to clip Canaries’ wings

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The Championship continued its festive goal-fest this midweek with 39 goals in 11 fixtures as the action now enters 2011 with a full programme of 12 games to be played out on New Year’s Day.

All eyes will be on Carrow Road where fifth-placed Norwich face league leaders QPR.

Norwich v QPR (3pm)

The Canaries cemented their place in the play-off places with a 4-2 win against struggling Sheffield United on Tuesday and will fancy their chances of inflicting a third defeat of the campaign on the Hoops. However, Neil Warnock’s side bounced back from their recent two successive defeats with comprehensive wins over Christmas, including a victory at Coventry, and are looking to condemn Norwich to a fifth home defeat of the season, while possibly stretching their seven-point lead at the top of the Championship.

Match Bet: 1-1 Draw @ 11/2

Bristol City v Cardiff (3pm)

This Severn-side derby at Ashton Gate could have big implications at both ends of the Championship table. Bristol City are just four points off the relegation zone with no wins in their last three games, while they grabbed a fortunate 1-1 draw against lowly Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Cardiff’s automatic promotion hopes took a dent with a 4-1 mauling at Watford and they have struggled on the road of late. Keith Millen’s Robins have improved on home soil of late and they will look to avenge last season’s humiliating 6-0 thrashing in the corresponding fixture.

Match Bet: Bristol City To Win @ 19/10

Swansea v Reading (3pm)

The third-placed Swans moved level on 40 points with their South Wales rivals Cardiff after securing a seventh home win of the season against Barnsley on Tuesday. And they will look to jump into the automatic promotion places with a win against Brian McDermott’s sixth-placed Royals, who are unbeaten in eight league outings.

Match Bet: Draw HT/Swansea FT @ 7/2

Leeds v Middlesbrough (1pm)

The New Year action in the Championship starts at Elland Road with Simon Grayson’s in-form side looking for at least a point which will take them into the promotion places behind QPR. The Whites have not lost in 11 league games – six of those wins – since a 4-0 home drubbing against Cardiff on October 25 and they will be confident of making it 12 against struggling Boro after blowing a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Portsmouth. But Tony Mowbray’s side have shown signs of improvement lately and arrive in West Yorkshire on the back of a 3-1 win at bottom club Preston so will be no pushovers.

Match Bet: Leeds 2-1 @ 7/1

Coventry v Ipswich Town (3pm)

The Sky Blues are outside the play-off places on goal difference following the 2-0 home loss to league leaders QPR which made it three defeats on the bounce, so they will be looking to get back on track against struggling Ipswich. Roy Keane’s men have not played since ending a run of six straight defeats in style with a 3-0 win against Leicester at a snow-bound Portman Road on December 18 due to the bad weather so could be rusty at the Ricoh Arena.

Match Bet: Coventry To Win @ 21/20

Nottingham Forest v Barnsley (3pm)

Forest maintained their unbeaten home record throughout 2010 in style with a 5-2 thrashing of local rivals Derby at the City Ground on Wednesday and Billy Davies’ side should start the New Year with that record intact against a Barnsley side going into the game on the back of two successive defeats.

Match Bet: Forest To Win @ 8/13

Watford v Portsmouth (5.20pm)

Malky Mackay’s Hornets are buzzing at the moment as they have moved to within a point of the play-offs having followed up a 3-1 win at league leaders QPR earlier in December with a 4-1 mauling of second-placed Cardiff at a foggy Vicarage Road to make it five unbeaten. Pompey stormed back from 2-0 and 3-1 down at Leeds to earn a 3-3 draw on Tuesday which followed successive away wins at high-flying Swansea and Norwich so to bet against Steve Cotterill’s side would be a huge risk.

Match Bet: Draw @ 12/5

Burnley v Sheffield United (3pm)

These two sides go head-to-head at Turf Moor without permanent managers at the helm as Stuart Gray is in temporary control of the Clarets following Brian Laws’ departure on Wednesday, while John Carver could still be in command of the Blades after they lost Gary Speed to Wales unless Micky Adams’ imminent appointment goes through in time. Burnley have lost their last two at home, while the Blades have dropped to within two points of the relegation places after the 4-2 defeat at Norwich made it three away-day losses on the bounce.

Match Bet: Burnley To Win 1-0 @ 11/2

Millwall v Crystal Palace (1.30pm)

This south London derby gets underway early on Saturday after the Lions made it six games unbeaten after seeing off Leicester 2-0 on Tuesday, despite playing for over half an hour with 10 men when Alan Dunne was sent off. Second-bottom Palace were unlucky not to pick up three points at Bristol City, but with the worst away record in the Championship they will find it difficult in the Den.

Match Bet: Palace HT/Millwall FT @ 25/1

Preston v Derby (3pm)

Bottom club Preston get life without the sacked Darren Ferguson underway with a visit from a Derby side currently on a downward spiral. North End axed Ferguson after Tuesday’s 3-1 Deepdale defeat to fellow strugglers Middlesbrough left them five points adrift of safety, but they will look to make up some ground on the sides above them when Nigel Clough’s Rams arrive on the back of a 5-2 battering at rivals Nottingham Forest which made it five straight defeats.

Match Bet: Draw @ 23/10

Doncaster v Scunthorpe (3pm)

More derby action at the Keepmoat Stadium sees mid-table Doncaster up against a Scunthorpe side still in the relegation places, despite winning 2-0 at Burnley. Sean O’Driscoll’s men have not played since a 2-1 home win against Middlesbrough on December 17 due to the weather so they will be looking to reduce the four-point gap to the play-offs with a win. However, despite their struggles, the Iron have six wins on the road this season but strangely no draws from 11 games – could that trend be bucked on Saturday?

Match Bet: 2-2 Draw @ 12/1

Hull v Leicester (3pm)

This game sees Hull boss Nigel Pearson face his former employers following his move to the KC Stadium from the Foxes last summer. However, the season has not panned out how either side would have liked as they both sit in the bottom half of the table going into 2011. The Tigers’ form has improved of late as they are unbeaten in eight outings, while Sven Goran-Eriksson’s side have so far lost nine on the road and conceded 30 goals – more than any other side in the Championship.

Match Bet: Hull To Win 2-0 @ 9/1

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