Swans to increase the scrutiny on sinking hosts
Swansea shouldn’t be the outsiders when they travel to struggling Norwich, insists Michael Lintorn…
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Norwich 2.60 v Swansea 3.00; The Draw 3.45
Saturday, 15:00
Norwich
The Canaries saved their best Premier League display of October until last, but the outcome was the same as the other three: a defeat which leaves them a mere two points above the relegation zone.
Their trip to leaders Manchester City was expected to prove fruitless and ultimately did, albeit by the slimmest of margins as they were beaten in the penultimate minute of the 90 by a Yaya Toure penalty.
That spot kick was the result of a Russell Martin handball for which he was sent off, ruling him out of this encounter. As if the captain’s absence isn’t enough of a setback, they are also without Andre Wisdom due to injury, while fellow loanees Matt Jarvis and Dieumerci Mbokani are both doubts.
Swansea
A victory at Aston Villa a fortnight ago calmed the rather rash talk of Garry Monk losing his job, yet things certainly aren’t going to plan for Swansea. The bottom club are the only one that they have beaten in eight games, and 13 points after 11 matches is five fewer than at the same stage last term.
The main team news this week has regarded a player who isn’t even in their 25-man Premier League squad, with reports suggesting that Michu – who scored 18 top-flight goals for them upon his arrival in 2012/13 – is about to be released. The initial rumour, emphasising the depth of his demise, was that he would join fourth-tier Spanish side UP Langreo in January, though Marseille are now linked.
It is possible that beyond the one-time Spain international, the Swans will have everybody available at Carrow Road, with Wayne Routledge the sole squad member known to be fighting injury.
Match Odds
Monk’s men are the more appealingly priced of the pair at 3.00 for a number of reasons. They have fewer players sidelined and have collected more points on their travels (five) than Norwich have earned in front of their fans (four).
Most compellingly, Swansea are undefeated away to teams below them, overcoming Aston Villa and holding Chelsea and Sunderland, whereas the hosts have gained one point from 12 when welcoming higher-ups, despite Leicester, Crystal Palace, West Brom and Stoke not being the scariest quartet.
The Welsh club also led and didn’t lose on their previous two visits to East Anglia, although the fact that both fixtures finished level perhaps indicates that they are a more appetising prospect in the draw no bet market at 2.16 than they are outright.
To Score
Andre Ayew played himself back into scoring form with October efforts against Tottenham and Aston Villa, but starting striker Bafetimbi Gomis has now gone eight games without netting since his faultless August.
That has forced his attacking comrades to step up and nobody has taken the responsibility more seriously than Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has notched in each of their most recent two away outings.
Indeed, firing on the road is a bit of a speciality for the Icelander, with six of his seven Swansea goals since late December being celebrated outside of South Wales. He scored a match-winning brace in his last clash with Norwich for Tottenham, and is around 4.60 to deliver again.
Recommended Bet:
Back Swansea to win (draw no bet) @ 2.16
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