Premier League betting news & odds: Canaries swoop to grab Smith

Dean Smith has made a swift return to management after agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal with Norwich and has immediately set his sights on keeping the Canaries in the Premier League.

The 50-year-old was dismissed by Aston Villa last Monday and was unveiled as the new Norwich manager just a week later.

He inherits a team at the bottom of the table with just five points from 11 games, and Norwich are just 1-6 to be relegated and 8-11 to finish 20th.

Smith's predecessor, Daniel Farke, signed off with a 2-1 win at Brentford which leaves the Norfolk side five points adrift of safety.

Many more wins will be required but Norwich are hoping that a change of leadership can make an immediate difference as they prepare to start Smith's tenure with home fixtures against Southampton and Wolves. The Canaries are a general 13-5 chance to making a winning start to Smith's reign.

The seven games before Christmas also feature key fixtures away to Newcastle and at home to Villa, but Norwich are just 8-13 with Hills to be bottom on Christmas Day.

Smith's side could be battling it out with his former employers, Villa, in the relegation dogfight.

The matches between the teams could be vital encounters and Norwich are 14-1 with bet365 to win them both.

The January transfer window will be important but Norwich are unlikely to take massive financial risks in pursuit of top-flight survival and, judging by the length of the contract, they appear to have identified Smith as the right man to take them forward irrespective of their status at the end of the campaign.

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