The French Connection: Chirpy Canaries, flying Crewe, sea-worthy Mariners

The French Connection / Andrew French / 13 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

Like so many others who have peered over the edge towards the drop into League One, Norwich have suddenly found a bit of form when all appeared lost.

The Canaries endured a run of one win in 11 before suddenly clicking into gear and winning two of their last three, including an impressive 2-0 victory over promotion chasing Cardiff at Carrow Road in midweek.

Visitors Plymouth have kept their heads above the relegation waters thanks to back-to-back wins a couple of weeks ago. However, those two successes are very much in isolation - the Pilgrims have won just three of their last 20 games and have slipped down the table alarmingly as a result.

Norwich look the safer conveyance for your cash at the moment - so kick off the treble by backing them at [2.02].

With 16 points from their last seven games, Crewe Alexandra are flying in League One. The trouble is they have needed that run just to move themselves above the dreaded dotted line at the foot of the table.

It's been good enough for manager Gudjon Thordarson to have his rolling contracted extended though, and I think Crewe can take three points on the road at Colchester this weekend.

The U's are still in the play-off frame, but they struggle to close games out at home, and with Crewe having won two of their last three away from home, they can seize on the Essex side's slightly dodgy home form. Include Crewe at [4.1].

There are driving schools in Chester with fewer 'Ls' next to their name than the football club. Mark Wright's side haven't won a league match since Boxing Day, and they have lost 11 of their 15 outings since. During that time they have scored only eight goals, and shipped a massive 34.

Their visitors, Grimsby, are equally in the relegation mire but at least they are showing some signs of life in a bid to avoid disappearing into the world of non-league. The Mariners stuffed Lincoln 5-1 last weekend, with the wonderfully-named John-Louis Akpa Akpro netting twice.

With so much at stake, this probably won't be pretty - but Grimsby get the nod, if for no other reason than Chester just seem to have forgotten how to avoid defeat. So, complete your treble with the Mariners at [2.5].