Andy Holding & Tom Love's Horse Racing & Football Double

It’s a little disconcerting why MENAI BRIDGE (best price 7-4) hasn’t been seen out for 184 days, but that slight negative aside, Charles Hills’ gelding has a profile to suggest he be very hard to beat on a surface where his form figures read 1131.

A winner on his first try on an all-weather surface, the son of Cable Bay has continued to improve in the interim and his latest victory, his second of the trio at Lingfield, was easily his best effort on the figures. In a race run at a searching pace at the Surrey venue, the four-year-old stayed on gamely in the closing when looking vulnerable to the late thrust of Oslo and his success also went some way to prove that he’s just as effective over 1m2f than a mile. Providing all is well in his world after his enforced break, he really ought to have the legs of tonight’s field and he rates a confident choice to continue his progression.

Despite being under the cosh in the second half against Crystal Palace it was another positive result for Norwich midweek picking up a point to add to their decent current run. Many had already written the Canaries off, but the appointment of Dean Smith looked a very impressive one and he’s starting to have the desired impact. The Norfolk side did drop back into the relegation zone though after Newcastle gained a vital win against Everton, but at least Norwich are back in with a strong shout of survival.

Manchester City produced yet another routine win on Wednesday night running out 2-0 victors over Brentford. Now at this point of the season it may be more of a ‘get the job done’ mentality from Pep Guardiola’s troops with the Champions League rolling back around. Thankfully for the Blue Moon they can play really well without thinking too much and their impeccable clean sheet record always gives them a great chance of getting all three points.

Two-thirds of Manchester City games have seen fewer than four goals and with Norwich tightening up at the back maybe taking the away win alongside under 3.5 goals is the way in here. If the visitors go two goals up then they may just look to see out the game which is something they can do better than most, then attentions turn to midweek.

With the likes of Che Adams and Armando Broja in fine goalscoring form it would not be a surprise to see the visitors get on the scoresheet at least once at Old Trafford. Southampton have kept just two away clean sheets this term though so it’s the 3/4 offering on both teams to score that makes plenty of appeal here.