English Premier
2012-04-09 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 9 April 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur remain in a big fight to secure a Champions League place for next season having drawn 0-0 at Sunderland in their last League game and once again falling behind Arsenal in the League table. Harry Redknapp made a big amount of noise regarding the fact that getting back on to Europe's top table was the ultimate aim for Spurs this season so anything other than a top 4 finish would be a disappointment.
The team are 4th in the Premier League table, 2 points behind Arsenal and only 3 points ahead of Newcastle United and Chelsea in the two positions below them. Spurs have an 11-3-2 record at White Hart Lane this season, scoring 34 goals and conceding 15.
They are now unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions, but wins in the Premier League have been hard to come by in recent weeks. Spurs have won just 1 of their last 7 Premier League games, although they did win their last game here at White Hart Lane 3-1 against Swansea. They have now won 3 of their last 5 Premier League games at home.
Aaron Lennon is set to start for Spurs in this game, but Gareth Bale is a doubt after suffering an injury against Sunderland on Saturday.
Norwich City
Norwich City played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Everton over the weekend and it was clear that the side were playing with a confidence that comes from securing their Premier League future for another season. Paul Lambert continues to get his side flying under the radar and he will be looking for one of their best results of the season as they come to this part of North London.
They are 12th in the Premier League table and the point against Everton means the Canaries have reached the 40 point mark in the League and could take the rest of the season with a little more freedom. They have a 4-4-8 record away from home, scoring 19 goals and conceding 30.
The team have now won just 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions, that coming against the all but relegated Wolves at Carrow Road. They have lost 4 of their last 5 games away from home in the Premier League, including their last 3 consecutively.
There could be a few changes made to the Norwich team so they can rest players that may have played in the draw with Everton on Saturday.
Head to Head
Tottenham Hotspur won 0-2 at Carrow Road earlier this season, while this will be the first game at White Hart Lane between the teams since the 2004/05 season.
On that occasion, Spurs drew 0-0 here with Norwich.
Prediction
Norwich City can come here and play with a bit of freedom, but there is also the fear that they could come to White Hart Lane with little interest considering they are now safe in the Premier League and have little left to play for. It has been a remarkable season considering they were favourites for relegation so there is a chance the players are already looking ahead to their Summer holidays.
On the other hand, Spurs have plenty to play for in this game and could benefit if Norwich do come out to play their own brand of football. Tottenham beat Swansea comfortably enough in their last home game and have been decent here all season.
I expect Spurs will come out with an attacking formation and they could get some goals against a Norwich team that is unlikely to sit back and defend and a team that is more likely to come out and express themselves.
With that in mind, I think Spurs can win this by a couple of goals at least, as long as they take their chances, and they are likely to get a bit of space to exploit as Norwich look to push forward too. This game could have a few goals in it, but I will take Spurs on the handicap.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Norwich City
