Gunners to silence Canaries, Magpies swoop for Palace points on super Saturday
Published:
Holly Thackeray | April 29, 2016
What a superb Saturday the Premier League has in store for punters, with six scintillating fixtures as April comes to an end. There should be no shortage of drama in these duels, with the relegation battle rumbling on as all of Norwich City, Newcastle United and Sunderland are in action.
In the televised tussle of the day, the Canaries clash with Arsenal in a traditionally high-scoring affair, while the Magpies meet Crystal Palace and the Black Cats battle Stoke City. Elsewhere, West Ham United seek to stay in pole position for sixth place as they wrangle with West Bromwich Albion, Watford host already ousted Aston Villa and under-pressure Everton welcome Bournemouth.
So, read on to find out our thoughts on Saturday’s scuffles and the best bets on offer…
Arsenal v Norwich City
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 30th
- Kick-off: 17:30 BST
- Emirates Stadium, north London
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Wenger’s guys gunning for Canaries
Arsenal usually enjoy playing Norwich, and especially on their own turf, where the Gunners have grabbed at least three goals against the Canaries in all of the past five fixture frays in north London.
Last time the East Anglia outfit made the Emirates trek in 2013 they left having haemorrhaged four goals, and Arsene Wenger’s side are a fantastic 27/10 with Coral to notch the same amount or more again.
The capital club need to come out tops in this battle (and are odds-on at 1/4 to do so) if they are to keep top four seekers Manchester United at bay, as the Red Devils boast a game in hand and are only five points adrift.
Though, Norwich are not short of motivation either, having slipped back down into the drop zone after being demolished 3-0 by relegation rivals Sunderland. Still, the Canaries managed to force a draw in the reverse at Carrow Road and, despite losing seven of their last eight away, are 5/1 to split the spoils.
Ozil to ruffle feathers
Customers can get better value on Arsenal to scalp the Canaries with odds of 8/5 for the Gunners to emerge as victors of both halves, while there is also some superb prices to be had on scorer shouts.
Midfield magician Mesut Ozil has fired home three times in as many of his outings against Norwich, and is 7/4 to strike anytime at the Emirates after his brace heroics back in 2013, which the Germany international is 9/1 to equal or better. While, man of the moment Alexis Sanchez is 7/2 to strike first after hitting five in his past five, with Welsh wonder Aaron Ramsey is another past scorer against this side and is 6/1 to have the final say.
As for Norwich net threats, Dieumerci Mbokani (7/2 anytime) can potentially pop up with a goal, and Nathan Redmond (11/2) has been showing flashes of potential in his recent cameos.
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 30th
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- The Hawthorns, West Brom
Hammers can bring Baggies blow
Slaven Bilic’s boys seem to have awoken from their slumber, having secured their first victory across all competitions since early March last time out against Watford. The possibility of Europa League football remains, and the Hammers are 21/20 favourites to beat the Baggies and get back on track.
Internationally ignored English trio Andy Carroll, Mark Noble and Aaron Cresswell have been key protagonists of late and are 7/4, 9/2 and 12/1 respectively to bag anytime for Bilic.
Though, despite the Hammers’ impressive firepower and quality across the pitch, Albion have proven incredibly stubborn of late. West Brom are without a win in six so look unlikely at 11/4 for three points. Yet Tony Pulis’ team held Tottenham to a heroic draw on Monday, and have managed to prove a thorn in the Irons’ side many a time over recent seasons.
So, having ended evenly in seven of their past 10 league tussles, West Brom are 23/10 to snatch a point at The Hawthorns, with Saido Berahino (2/1 anytime) a familiar threat after dispatching four times in five career outings against West Ham.
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 30th
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- St James’ Park, Newcastle
Magpies circling Palace for points
Rafael Benitez has his Newcastle contingent up for the survival fight, with the Spanish coach having gotten to grips with the Magpies now and masterminded draws against Manchester City and former club Liverpool.
Now on the ascendancy, the Tyneside team are 5/2 for another point but are actually odds-on favourite at 19/20 for all three on St James’ Park soil. Palace already have one eye on the FA Cup final, and have failed to win any of their last eight road trips, so could come undone in the Northeast.
One player who will relish this lower end of the league dust-up is ex-Magpie Yohan Cabaye. The France playmaker is a sensational 7/2 to strike a bitter blow at his old stomping ground anytime, while FA Cup goal hero Yannick Bolasie is 11/4 in the same market having already found the net twice against Newcastle this term.
Benitez, meanwhile, will look to the likes of Papiss Cisse (4/1 for the first goal) and Andros Townsend (7/1 for the last) to continue the terrific Toon run.
Stoke City v Sunderland
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 30th
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Britannia Stadium, Stoke
Black Cats set for Britannia battle
Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland side managed to magnificently shut-out Arsenal’s attack last weekend, so look tempting at 23/10 to also hold Mark Hughes’ boys at bay.
The Black Cats face the Potters at an opportune time, as the Midlands men look to have shut up shop for the season after being thrashed by Manchester City last time out.
Having conceded a whopping 12 strikes across their last three league games, the Black Cats may even fancy their 17/10 chances of a vital win on the road as they strive to avoid relegation.
To help them stay away from the trap door, the Mackems will need marksman Jermain Defoe (11/2 for the opener) to be on top form and Potters protagonist Bojan Krkic (7/4 anytime) to have another quiet day.
Everton v Bournemouth
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 30th
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Goodison Park, Liverpool
Cherries and Toffees in sticky patches
Neither side are exactly in fine fettle, but their could be goals galore in this game, after Bournemouth and Everton scored three apiece in the Dean Court clash reverse.
The Cherries looked far from ripe against Chelsea last time out, however, which could give host coach Roberto Martinez the boost her needs, with his under-pressure side odds-on at 10/11 for a first victory in April across all competitions.
Romelu Lukaku (4/1 for the first strike) and Ross Barkley (7/4 anytime) have both bagged against Bournemouth this season, while Cherries attacker Joshua King is 6/1 to get on the scoresheet last.
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Coral’s top tip: Arsenal are an excellent 27/10 to score four or more!
