English Premier
2011-12-31 - Norwich City vs Fulham
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 31 December 2011 - Kick Off 3pm
Norwich City
Norwich City were completely outclassed by Tottenham Hotspur in their last home game, but it is games like these that they are looking to win at Carrow Road if they are to maintain their Premier League status. Norwich have been threatening going forward, but they have allowed too many chances against their defence and have to take care of that if they are to be saved from a relegation fight.
The Canaries are 11th in the Premier League and have gained 21 points so far this season. While they are in mid-table, they are only 7 points clear of the relegation zone, mainly thanks to their home form. Norwich are 4-2-3 at Carrow Road this season, scoring 16 goals and conceding 14, making this one of the highest scoring grounds in the Premier League.
Norwich have failed to win any of their last 3 Premier League games since a 4-2 win over Newcastle United here. They lost 0-2 to Tottenham here last time out, but the previous 6 League games here has seen at least 3 goals scored in the game, and Norwich have won 4 of their last 7 here in the League.
Marc Tierney is expected to miss this game, but Kyle Naughton should return to the side after missing the game against Tottenham as they are his parent club.
Fulham
Fulham recovered from a thumping by Manchester United by earning a valuable 1-1 draw at Chelsea last time out as Martin Jol begins to put his stamp on the side. Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora could both be on their way in the January transfer window, and it does look like a season of transition for the Cottagers.
The point moved Fulham to 13th in the Premier League and they now have 19 points this season, leaving them 5 clear of Wigan in 18th. They still struggle away from home where they are 1-4-4 this season, scoring 5 goals and conceding 10, making them the lowest away scorers in the League.
Fulham have only won 1 of their last 4 games in the Premier League, but they have only lost 2 of their last 7. Their away form has been a little more solid of late, drawing 3 of their last 4 games including at Arsenal and Chelsea. Fulham's last 7 away games has seen 2 goals or less scored.
Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff and Andy Johnson are all ruled out for this game.
Head to Head
Fulham have actually won on their last 4 away trips to Norwich City stretching back to the 1999/2000 season.
The last two games have been low scoring affairs, but the previous 5 had seen at least 3 goals scored.
Prediction
This is a game that Norwich fans and management would have circled as one they would expect to win if they truly want to remain a Premier League club come May.
Their form at home has been solid, but a lack of clean sheets is beginning to take their toll on the side as it puts more and more pressure on them to score enough goals to win games.
Fulham have not exactly been a free scoring, or conceding, side away from home, but they will surely look to build on their point at Chelsea and I can see them at least taking advantage of Norwich's poor defensive record.
With that being said, I can see this game being another that ends with more than 3 goals being scored so I will take the evens at Ladbrokes that it will do so.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Norwich City 2-1 Fulham
