Man City to make Chelsea point, relegation rumble for Sunderland and Norwich
Published:
Holly Thackeray | April 15, 2016
Saturday’s televised Premier League matches have proven timely, as two crucial clashes take place that could have repercussions at both ends of the table.
So, Coral preview the best betting action as the silver screen sees Sunderland travel to Norwich City for a lunchtime kick-off relegation three-pointer, while the teatime tussle has Chelsea hosting top four chasers Manchester City.
Norwich City v Sunderland
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 15th
- Kick-off 12:45 BST
- Carrow Road, Norwich
- Live on BT Sport 1
Black Cats can swipe at Canaries advantage
Sunderland travel to Carrow Road for a clash that could condemn the Black Cats to the drop zone, as a Canaries win (13/10) would see them needing to claw back a seven point gap with only one game in hand from their last six.
History does not help Sam Allardyce’s side as Norwich have been victors in their last five league match-ups with the Mackems on home soil. Though, their recent Carrow Road record of one triumph from their last seven may give the Black Cats (21/10 chances for a vital three points) a spot of hope.
Speaking ahead of the crunch outing, Big Sam warned his players, stating: “It would hurt immensely if the club got relegated, for the club’s sake first, not mine. I’ve had a fantastic career.
“The players, most of them will never get a club better than this…let’s stay in the Premier League and let’s make the club even better.”
Decisive duel to end in draw?
Having gone on a streak of 11 scuffles without a win, three points look a little too far for Sunderland to stretch, even with imposing Canaries centre half Timm Klose likely to miss out on the match.
The Black Cats could bag a lucky draw at 9/4, however, after Norwich’s winning run came to an abrupt end at Crystal Palace. It should be a tight and feisty fixture, with odds of 15/2 for there to be no goal scorer. Last on target for the Mackems was marksman Jermain Defoe (6/1 to have the final say), while wingman Wahbi Khazri is a 2/1 chance to strike anytime.
As for the hosts, they will hope to repeat their 3-1 result in the reverse, with Robert Brady (14/5 anytime), Steven Naismith (15/8) and Dieumerci Mbokani (11/2 to dispatch first) all intriguing attacking options.
Chelsea v Manchester City
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 15th
- Kick-off 17:30 BST
- Stamford Bridge, west London
- Live on Sky Sports 1
City still have something to play for
At home against fellow nouveau riche club Manchester City, in front of Stamford Bridge fans, Chelsea are 13/8 to take the three points. Yet, the Blues have little to battle for now, aside from stopping new boys Bournemouth pipping them 10th spot, so can this high profile dust-up motivate Guus Hiddink’s guys?
Last time against Swansea City, the Londoners slumped to a 1-0 defeat, making Man City the same 13/8 price for a win on the road in their top four quest.
Having been inconsistent in the league, last losing in a bitter local derby to Manchester United, the Citizens will know they need to prove their big game mettle here.
Boosted by a bombastic midweek win over PSG, which sends them to their first-ever Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, the buoyed Sky Blues look best value at 15/4 to win and both teams score.
De Bruyne bombardment expected
City have been sunk by Chelsea just once in their last five meetings across all competitions, and ran out 3-0 winners at the Etihad earlier this season.
The Blues boys have few attackers who can claim to be as in-form and as former Chelsea man Kevin De Bruyne (7/1 to be named Sky Sports Man of the Match), with the Belgian having bagged three in his last four, with two of those game-changers.
Dangerous De Bruyne is 7/4 to strike again anytime, or an appealing 6/1 to open scoring, while Argentine Sergio Aguero is 7/2 to have the final say and make amends for his midweek penalty miss, having already breached the Blues rearguard in the reverse.
Chelsea, meanwhile, must rely on a spark from forwards Alexandre Pato or Pedro Rodriguez, who are 7/4 and 11/4 anytime shouts to score respectively.
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Coral’s top tip: Back De Bruyne at 6/1 to open scoring against his old club.
