FEB 26: ENGLISH FOOTBALL TIPS

 

AWAY from the Carling Cup Final it's a busy day of football in England.

And the appetiser to the Wembley main course on Sunday isn't bad with North London rivals squaring up at the Emirates.

The balance of power is changing with Spurs 10 points clear of Arsenal and looking well set to book a Champions League place for the second time in three years.

Despite losing their last two without scoring to Sunderland and AC Milan the Gunners are narrow favourites at 8-5 at boylesports while William Hill go 19-10 on Spurs.

With derbies sometimes the easy way out is to pick a draw but I reckon Spurs will edge it. They won 3-2 at the Emirates and are unbeaten in four agains their greatest rivals.

With players such as Manny Adebayor, 13-2 at Stan James to score first, desperate to put one over his old side they look the value.

Robin van Persie will of course be the man to watch in the home ranks and he is 11-2 at Stan James to break the deadlock.

It's a fixture that's produced goals galore in recent seasons – 26 in the previous six including that infamous 4-4 draw – so both sides to score looks a decent shout at 8-13 with Coral.

A Man United victory against Norwich pays a biggest 8-15 at Stan James and I reckon they'll win on the minus one handicap even though the Canaries made it tough for them at Old Trafford.

Norwich have performed remarkably well this season but lost at home to Leicester in the FA Cup and not even 11-2 (various) tempts.

United are waiting on Wayne Rooney who is a major doubt but if doesn't make consider Javier Hernandez for first goal. He opened the scoring against Ajax in midweek and is 9-2 at Paddy Power and unibet.

Without Rooney the Reds aren't as fluid and this could be one of their notorious 1-0 away wins. That pays 7-1 (various).

Stoke boss Tony Pulis took stick for leaving a host of first-teamers at home for their Europa League second-leg tie in Valencia.

But he'll be forgiven if his side pick up the points at home to Swansea. Stoke have struggled at home this season which is why Pulis may have left out nine players including the likes of Peter Crouch, Jon Walters and Richard Shawcross.

Crouch will be champing at the bit and is 6-1 at Paddy Power to bag the opener.

Swansea have done most of their best work at home and although it could be really tight I'm on Stoke at 6-5 with Coral to edge it.

Derbies are never easy to predict but Sheffield United look better placed than Sheffield Wednesday going into their Sunday showdown in League One.

It's a clash between fourth v second but while home outfit Wednesday have lost their last four – three of them without scoring – the Blades have won their last three.

So although the bookies can't split the sides I'd favour Danny Wilson’s side at 7-4 with Ladbrokes. The Owls are a best 9-5 at BetVictor.

In-form frontman Ched Evans is 6-1 at Paddy Power to score first.

Recommendations

Spurs

(19-10, William Hill)

Sheffield Utd

(7-4, Ladbrokes)

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