English Premier
2012-05-13 - Norwich City vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 13 May 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Norwich City
Paul Lambert demanded his side gave their all in their final few games of the season and they really turned up at the Emirates Stadium last weekend when earning a 3-3 draw at Arsenal. It has already been a successful season for Norwich City as they were expected to be one of the sides that were fighting relegation, yet have been pretty safe for some time now.
They are 13th in the Premier League table having earned 44 points from their first 37 League games this season. Norwich have a 6-6-6 record at Carrow Road this season, scoring 26 goals and conceding 30.
I will be honest and say I thought Norwich City had called it a day on the season after they lost 3 consecutive League games, but their draw at Arsenal showed that Lambert is getting them motivated. Norwich have won just 1 of their last 7 games at home in all competitions, while they have lost their last 2 here to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Adam Drury may miss this last game of the season, while Zak Whitbread, Daniel Ayala and Marc Tierney have been ruled out.
Aston Villa
It has been a very disappointing season for Aston Villa and the rumours surrounding Alex McLeish's future continue to make the rounds in the press. With their future in the Premier League secured in the last week, it is hard to imagine what will motivate these players in this game.
Villa are actually 16th in the Premier League having gained just 38 points so far this season. They have won just 7 games overall this season with Wolves being the only League club to have won less than that number this season. The team have a 3-10-5 record away from home, scoring 17 goals and conceding 26.
They have failed to win any of their last 9 games in the Premier League and they have won just 1 of their last 15 games. Villa have failed to win any of their last 7 away games in the League, but they have only fallen to losses in 3 of those at Newcastle United, Manchester United and Arsenal. In fact, Villa have yet to lose to a team outside of the top 5 away from home this season.
Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey look set to miss this game, meaning the away side will be without all of their recognised strikers in this game. Alan Hutton has been ruled out, so James Collins may be restored to the side having been dropped for an incident in a nightclub along with Fabian Delph and Chris Herd.
Head to Head
Aston Villa beat Norwich City 3-2 at Villa Park earlier this season.
This is the first meeting between the sides at Carrow Road for 7 seasons and on that occasion they finished in a draw.
Norwich have actually failed to win any of their last 3 home games against Carrow Road stretching back to the 1992/93 season.
Prediction
There isn't a lot to say about this game as it really is a meaningless one in the grand scheme of things. However, I think Norwich City will have a little more motivation to finish the season on a high as they will be saying goodbye to their home fans that have supported them so well this season.
Norwich have goals in the side and it is hard to see where they will be coming from in the Aston Villa team that is likely missing their first four strikers.
At odds against, the home side look worth chancing, but as I have said already, I would keep stakes to a minimum when there is so little to play for.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Norwich City 2-0 Aston Villa
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Norwich City -0.75 Asian Handicap @ 2.50
