Under-pressure Newcastle too short for Canaries date

All this week’s talking points and best bets

There’s a huge round of midweek Premier League fixtures and it gets under way with Newcastle hosting Norwich in a bottom-of-the-table battle on Tuesday night.

Many have already consigned Norwich to the Championship next season, at the same time as ignoring Newcastle, despite the fact the Canaries sit three points above their relegation rivals.

Of course, this represents a good opportunity for a Newcastle victory, but it’s hard to get excited about offers of even-money when the Magpies have yet to win a game this season.

Eddie Howe’s men have conceded 15 goals in their last seven matches and they have to tackle the Canaries without wingback Matt Ritchie and captain Jamaal Lascelles.

The absence of Lascelles in an already leaky rearguard doesn’t inspire confidence and there is going to be huge pressure on the home side to get a result. Nothing about this contest seems to set up well for Newcastle so Norwich and the draw on the double chance appeals.

On Thursday there are two odds-on home favourites in Tottenham and Manchester United and both look woefully short.

Antonio Conte has taken over in north London, but on the evidence of Spurs’ efforts against Leeds and in the Conference League, the

Italian faces an almighty task to turn Tottenham around. Brentford were excellent against Everton on Sunday, as they have been all season, and with main man Ivan Toney firing they look far too big to claim three points.

United performed with credit in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but their clash against Arsenal will demand a different approach.

As the away side, United were able to sit in and use the pace of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on the counter-attack. Back at Old Trafford the Red Devils will be expected to go on the front foot and their defence and midfield may not be up to the job.

Arsenal have had a kind run of fixtures, but they’ve lost just one of their last 12 matches and this is still the same United side who have been beaten by the likes of Watford, Aston Villa and Young Boys Bern this season.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are around 11-4 to extend their good recent run and that looks worth punting.