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Palace can win again

April 14th, 2017 | Ian Carnaby's Sports News

I suppose I went out on a limb when taking Crystal Palace to beat Arsenal last Monday but betting is all about value and, having watched them at Southampton, I felt quite strongly that 15/4 was way too big. Arsenal are in disarray and I thought the spirit was lacking in the closing stages.

I have no idea how the Arsene Wenger situation will play out but I imagine the board would be pleased and relieved if he made a statement saying it was time to call it a day. For sure, they can’t sack him after his magnificent contribution over the years but fans get you out in the end and that’s probably what will happen here.

PALACE can follow up against Leicester on Saturday, though I didn’t expect them to be odds-on. They have had longer to recover, Leicester having travelled back from Spain following the creditable (and unjust) 1-0 loss to a way below par-Atletico.

The Foxes are safe enough and the only thing that matters to them now is the second leg. I don’t warm to them particularly following Ranieri’s departure and I think Vardy has a nasty side to his game but they have done well in recent weeks. Whether they can stand up to the in-form trio of Zaha, Townsend and Benteke is another matter and this looks a home win to me.

I seldom agree with the layers’ opinion of SOUTHAMPTON, who can be backed at 7/2 with Betfred to beat Manchester City. It’s simply too big. I don’t know where the Saints will end up next season and I don’t know who will come and go but they play some delightful football at St Mary’s and City do not have the best defence in the world.

Sure, if they are at their best they may prove too strong and they can look very attractive going forward but this may be the match which shows a television audience how well Southampton can play. The likely absence of Gabbiadini is a blow but Ward-Prowse is getting further forward these days and I doubt that City will enjoy Nathan Redmond running at them. A value bet.

CRYSTAL PALACE 20 units at 5/6 (Betfred) to beat Leicester

SOUTHAMPTON 15 units at 7/2 (Betfred) to beat Manchester City