English League One
2010-04-02 - Tranmere Rovers vs Norwich City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League One
Friday April 2nd 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm
Tranmere Rovers
Both of these sides have an important Good Friday for differing reasons. Tranmere Rovers are currently in the relegation zone of League One but know they are still in touch with the teams above them and, with 9 games left to play, it is not the right time to hit any panic buttons.
Tranmere are 21st in the table at the moment but are only 1 point behind Hartlepool in the safety zone above them and a win here would move Rovers up the table by 5 places. They will also need to rely on their home record where they are 8-3-8 this season, scoring 22 goals and conceding 27. Only the bottom club Stockport County have conceded more goals at home this season than Tranmere.
Rovers have only scored 1 goal in their last 5 games as they have only picked up 2 points in that time. They have only 1 win in their last 5 here at Prenton Park and have only scored 1 goal in their last 3 there. 2 sides chasing promotion, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United, have won handily here in that time.
Zoumana Bakayogo is back from suspension and Ian Thomas-Moore may also return to the side. Andy Robinson is suspended for Les Parry.
Norwich City
After getting thumped 1-7 at home on the opening day to Colchester United, how many people would have predicted that Norwich would be leading the table with 8 games left and showing no signs of allowing automatic promotion to slip from their hands.
Norwich have overtaken Leeds United in the race to win promotion as Champions after the Yorkshire club was distracted by their FA Cup exertions this season. They hold a 9 point lead over Leeds in 2nd but that is also the same number of points that separates Norwich from the playoffs. Norwich are 10-5-4 away from home, scoring 35 goals and conceding 20 in those games. They are the strongest away team in the League, scoring the most goals, gaining the most wins and Leeds have only conceded 1 goal less than Norwich in search of the best defence.
A 8 game winning run during the middle of the season propelled Norwich up the table and they are currently unbeaten in their last 5 matches. Norwich have won 4 of those games with the draw coming at 3rd placed Swindon. The Canaries have only lost 1 of their last 12 away games in the League, winning 6 of their last 8 away games.
Korey Smith is a doubt for Norwich after limping off in their victory over Leeds last weekend. Luke Daley is out but Zak Whitbread and Cody McDonald are both available again.
Head to Head
This is the first season the 2 sides have met in 9 years since Tranmere were in the Championship.
Norwich beat Tranmere 2-0 at Carrow Road earlier this season.
Prediction
Tranmere Rovers have recovered from the disastrous tenure under John Barnes but have still got a rough road to navigate as they bid for survival in this League. The cameras will be on the game which should provide the players with additional motivation although they have recently been comfortably beaten by sides at the top of the division.
Norwich City have been in excellent form since Paul Lambert took charge of the side and they are clear favourites to win the League One title. They have been in truly inspiring form over the last 4 months and will know if they win 5 of their last 8 games, they will be guaranteed a place in the Championship next season.
I was a little surprised by the prices on offer for an away win here. Norwich will know that both Leeds and Huddersfield have won here in recent weeks and I think they may impress the cameras with another 3 points here. I will take Norwich to win this one.
The Pick :
Tranmere Rovers 1-3 Norwich City
