The FA Cup quarter finals have taken care of the majority of the Premier League fixture list this weekend but three matches have survived the cull and will have an effect on the title race once again.
I say that because the action begins at Carrow Road where Norwich host Man City in the lunchtime kick off. Norwich’s need for points is clear to see. They’ve dropped into the bottom three while they’ve been on this horrendous run and with Newcastle bagging a top level manager Norwich are under pressure to kick start their season.
Man City need the points as well. They are talking at least of being able to chase Leicester down. Personally I don’t see it happening but with the Foxes not playing until Monday night, Pellegrini’s men have the chance to remind Leicester that they’re hanging around in case they slip up.
Norwich have lost eight of their last nine matches but their last three have all been by the solitary goal and they drew the game before that. Man City have never been great on the road under Pellegrini and in none of their last five away games have they won by more than a goal so this has that trappy feel about it so I’ll leave it alone.
Bournemouth and Swansea clash in one of two 3pm matches. You would think both are safe now although they might feel they need another win or two to be absolutely sure. Both have been in good form in recent times but with home advantage I would favour Bournemouth but not at odds on.
That leaves us with Stoke vs Southampton at the Britannia, also a 3pm kick off. On paper these two look fairly evenly matched and the table would reflect that with Stoke in 8th place and Southampton one spot below that but the form table certainly won’t paint that picture.
Stoke are unbeaten in four with three wins and a draw at Stamford Bridge last week while Southampton look like they’ve hit the buffers having not won in three and only rescuing a point against Sunderland late on last week.
Team news favours Stoke too. They have their captain Ryan Shawcross back for this one while Southampton are going to be without the suspended Jose Fonte and Victor Wanyama while Charlie Austin is out injured.
Those absences combined with Stoke’s good form should have them as comfortable favourites in this match so the fact we can get them on a level ball cap looks like incredible value.
Back Stoke to beat Southampton (DNB) for a 4/10 stake at 1.90 with Bwin
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