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Norwich - Burnley both sides to score @ 1.72 BwinTight as tight can be and looks a massive match for both sides. Norwich only 3 points ahead of 3rd bottom Southampton and Burnley 3 points behind 6th placed Wolves and a playoff position. Crikey. This could well be a nervy affair and depend entirely on who wants it most. I think Norwich may even settle for a point while Burnley really have to try for the win to keep their hopes realistic.
Burnley are the league's 4th best away side according to the tables but they've not been doing so well on the road in recent weeks, losing at Plymouth, Hull and Preston although those three also happen to be among the form sides in the league so maybe we shouldn't be too harsh. The 1-1 draw at Stoke, sandwiched between those defeats, looks respectable. Clarets striker Ade Akinbiyi certainly sounds determined on the official site: "Now is our time. I look around the team and I think everyone wants to push on. The only thing I can say is that we can do it and we are going to try and do it." High five, Ade!
Norwich meanwhile have been having a hard time. They were finding it mighty difficult to come by wins and goals until the 5-1 thumping of doomed Colchester. That looked like it may inspire them to grabbing at least a point at Bristol City in the next game but as is often the case when you're near the bottom, they lost out to a last gasp winner in injury time after apparently dominating the match against the promotion hopefuls. I can definitely see them putting in a shift tomorrow to make up for what they'll feel is a gross injustice and it's not easy to see them losing.
So where does that leave us from a betting perspective? I've been scratching my head quite a bit but have finally decided to take both sides to score as I do think they're both going to be up for this. Burnley very rarely fail to find the net (once in last 10 at high flying Hull) and after Norwich banging in 5 (albeit against a leaky Colchester) in their last home match, I think they're good for at least 1 also. I'll stick my neck out here and say 1-1 draw but don't quote me on that.
Plymouth - Charlton 2.40 @ Pinnacle SportsGoing by the formbook we'd have to say the home win is where we should be looking and the 2.40 available at Pinnacle Sports is tempting. Plymouth seem to be blowing really hot and cold though as their playoff dream seemed to be getting so close. Too often, good results will be followed up with terrible ones, the latest a 3-1 loss at Coventry after the manager decided he had to make changes for some reason. Blew up in his face didn't it? They are still only 2 points behind Wolves in 6th however so it's well within reach if their nerves can hold.
And the same could be said for a Charlton side with only a single win in the last ten. Yes, that's truly awful but they're still just 2 points behind Plymouth so no doubt will be all out for the win too. Results haven't been going their way at all though so how could we justify backing them? They are simply failing to deliver time and time again so I for one have no confidence in them. This match still looks pretty close to call though with Plymouth's stumblings.
Having said that, I'm willing to have a little faith in Plymouth here due to Charlton's concerns over their strikers for tomorrow which I'm just reading about now: "We have a couple of players laid low with colds," Pardew told the press on Thursday. "Andy Gray and ZiZi missed training today and the doctor is now seeing them; we are hoping more for ZiZi because Andy doesn't look too clever. Leroy and Sam Sodje also took bangs to the head this morning in training, but we think they'll be OK."
Hmmm. My gut tells me Charlton are going to spring a surprise but my head is demanding I take the 2.40 for the home win. Damn you, stupid head!!
