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Swansea V Norwich looks tight

March 9th, 2016 | Ian Carnaby's Sports News

It was a pity to be denied the draw by Chelsea’s late winner at St Mary’s last week but there is no doubt the visitors deserved to win after enjoying any amount of possession in the second half. They are in very good form now with Willian pulling the strings and should account for Stoke, although 1 to 2 is too short.

There is precious little value around this weekend. I didn’t know Southampton could play as poorly as they did at Bournemouth on Tuesday and the 4/7 against Sunderland makes no appeal, especially with the doubt over who will lead the attack. Charlie Austin is out for a few weeks and Shane Long limped off on Tuesday. He may start with Graziano Pelle alongside him and Mane behind or waiting to come on from the bench. All bar Long have plenty to prove now and Sunderland may well take something from the game.

Arsenal are irritating their own supporters and must do without Petr Cech for a few weeks. Frankly, they need to win at Tottenham to look credible title challengers once again and it will be hard. I am reluctant to bet in local derbies but Spurs are definitely the better team at present and I feel they may prevail.

Swansea v Norwich looks tight and may well end in low-scoring draw, while it is also hard to split Bristol City and Cardiff, together with Ipswich and Forest, who are on a poor run but play habitual under-achievers here. I never get involved in bets involving sackings or whatever but if there are two managers walking the proverbial tightrope at present they are Mick McCarthy at Portman Road and Nigel Adkins at Sheffield United. The Blades are desperately disappointing for ante-post favourites in League One and still struggle to hit the target at home. Away to Fleetwood on Saturday I cannot justify backing them but I shall save a few coins for Bristol City and Cardiff sharing the points at Ashton Gate.

TOTTENHAM 20 units at 29/20 (Boylesports) or 7/5 to beat Arsenal

Swansea v Norwich 10 units THE DRAW at 5/2

Ipswich v Nottm Forest 10 units THE DRAW AT 9/4

Bristol City v Cardiff 10 units THE DRAW at 12/5