Paul Lambert's Norwich are first banker bet of 2010

NORWICH City had last Saturday off due to postponement and can use their freshness to see off lowly Wycombe Wanderers – one of manager Paul Lambert's previous clubs.

The Canaries, who are 8-11 with Bet365 and Victor Chandler, have been in sparkling form recently, seeing off promotion rivals Huddersfield 3-0 and Millwall 2-0, and they should really have no problem against a team who lost 5-2 at home to struggling Brighton last week and before that had been trounced 4-0 at Yeovil. Get on Norwich as the first banker bet of the new year.

With Norwich as the banker, the recommended three bets to make up this week's Yankee are Portsmouth (8-13) to beat Coventry in the FA Cup, Liverpool – who need some silverware to ease the pressure on Rafael Benitez – at 1-2 to win at Reading, and Manchester City at 4-6 to win away to Gordon Strachan's inconsistent Middlesbrough.

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Turning to this weekend's away bet, it would take a brave punter to take on a team that has not lost in 13 games – Nottingham Forest – but when you are backing another team in equally good form – Birmingham City – something has got to give, and the Blues at 6-4 (Bet365) make massive appeal.

With Premier League safety already virtually assured, and Alex McLeish's side looking up the table rather than down, Birmingham can afford to relax a little and enjoy themselves in the FA Cup. Billy Davies may even decide to play a slightly weakened team, with the league and possible promotion to the top flight his main concern, and Birmingham are fancied to come out on top at good odds.

THIS WEEKEND'S BETS

Banker: Norwich to beat Wycombe 8-11

Yankee: Norwich to beat Wycombe 8-11; Portsmouth to beat Coventry 8-13; Liverpool to beat Reading 1-2; Manchester City to beat Middlesbrough 4-6.

Away bet: Birmingham to win at Nottingham Forest 6-4.