Swansea seemingly without a prayer…

Last week’s update did not take for some reason, though there was no great loss because Southampton failed to score against Swansea, as did Bournemouth at West Brom.

The match at St Mary’s was extraordinary and routine at one and the same time. Any neutral would have found it extraordinary because Southampton were much too good for Swansea and an early goal might have presaged an impressive victory. But Saints regulars finally found the whole thing quite routine as chances came and went and almost overwhelming possession counted for nothing in a 0-0 draw.

Perhaps one should not say this after a creditable away point but I cannot see how Swansea will survive with that squad and I cannot see how they will garner many more away points. Paul Clement has a simply massive task to keep them out of harm’s way and any price above evens to survive this time around should be taken.

As for Southampton, the new manager has seen for himself the problem that many have commented on. It wouldn’t surprise me if Charlie Austin started against West Ham and I think the goal drought will end but West Ham are more than capable of scoring themselves if the newcomers gel this time. There was no sign of it at Old Trafford.

As you know, long odds-on shots are never recommended on this page for the simple reason that ‘shocks’ occur far too often and, in any case, you need too many things to be right to make an accumulator worthwhile. Short-priced accas, especially in the Premier League, amount to a mug’s game and that is why the bookmakers’ adverts focus on them.

Having said all of this, I believe Manchester United will prove far too good for Swansea in the lunchtime game on Saturday and, if I were ever going to take a short price about the away team, this would be the day.

It’s a very quiet day for me otherwise, though I’d shop around for the best price about new boys FOREST GREEN ROVERS accounting for Yeovil in League Two. The ‘vegans’ (as they will surely come to be known when enough people glance at stories from the lower divisions) are a very well-run outfit with a solid fan base and this is a suitable opportunity to make their presence felt.

I always feel for the Glovers, who took all those years to leave non-league football behind. However, they are habitual strugglers and the optimism generated during Gary Johnson’s best days – even if he was eventually dismissed – seems rather a long time ago. Forest Green have started modestly but look tight and economical, whereas Yeovil, alarmingly, have shipped ten goals in two matches. A shade of odds against about the home team is attractive here.

FOREST GREEN 20 units at 11/8 to beat Yeovil

Southampton v West Ham 15 units Both Teams To Score at best price