English Premier
2012-09-15 - Norwich City vs West Ham United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 15 September 2012 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Norwich City
Norwich City will come out of the international weekend in the knowledge that they are still looking for their first win under Chris Hughton in the Premier League, even though they have recorded a win in the Capital One Cup. The performances haven't been bad so the Canaries shouldn't be short of confidence in this live TV offering.
The team are 15th in the early Premier League table and they have picked up 2 points from their 3 League games. They drew their opening home game against Queens Park Rangers, although they could have won that game late on, and they earned a point at Tottenham Hotspur in their last League game thanks to a late equaliser.
They did win their only other home game this season as they beat Scunthorpe United 2-1 here in the Capital One Cup. Norwich have only won 2 of their last 8 Premier League games at Carrow Road, but they will remain confident considering they have only failed to score in 3 of their last 20 Premier League home games.
Chris Hughton will be hoping some of the injuries in the squad have cleared up in the last couple of weeks. The likes of Steven Whittaker, Elliot Ward and Elliot Bennett are all expected to be available for selection.
West Ham United
It has been an inconsistent start for West Ham United as they make their return to the Premier League, but one that shouldn't have disappointed the fans as they have picked up some vital early points. I never doubted Sam Allardyce's ability to oversee a successful season here at Upton Park and the early signs are that he will do just that.
West Ham have picked up 6 points from their opening 3 League games, a considerable start towards the famous 40 points that all sides look to earn to avoid relegation. However, Allardyce will certainly want a more composed away performance after they were hammered at Swansea, going in at half time 3-0 down.
While it is the form at Upton Park that will determine whether the Hammers stay in the top flight or not, West Ham will want to improve on that showing at the Liberty Stadium. They had been unbeaten in their last 10 away games in the Championship, winning 7, so Allardyce will expect more from his squad in this game at Carrow Road.
Jack Collison and George McCartney are both in contention to be available for selection in this one. Andy Carroll missed the England game and has a small chance of being available here and is much more likely to be back the week after this one.
Head to Head
These two teams missed each other as Norwich City were promoted and West Ham United were relegated in the top flight and that means this will be the first League meeting between them in 9 seasons.
The teams have met twice in the FA Cup since those last League meetings, the latest being a 1-2 win for West Ham here in 2006 enroute to making the Cup Final.
Norwich have gone 1-2-1 in their last 4 home games against West Ham. However, Norwich have not lost any of their last 14 League games at home against the Hammers.
Prediction
I don't think this is a bad pick for a live game on a Saturday afternoon mainly because I do believe we will see at least three goals scored by the teams.
Both will feel like this is a winnable game and that should automatically make it a little more open, while I also think both are capable of exposing any vulnerabilities in the opposition defence.
They have a similar playing style with crosses into the box being the key to their success, although the absence of Andy Carroll will be a blow to West Ham. Carroll only played the one game for them, but already has shown what a key player he can be for the side, but that could inspire Carlton Cole who will come into the side in his place.
Last season, Norwich had one of the weaker defences in the League and they haven't really shut the door on that front at the moment, but they also look a side that will find goals through Robert Snodgrass, Grant Holt and Steve Morison. They have also conceded in every game so far this season and it may be the same case on Saturday.
I do think there will be a winner in this one, but both could find their way on to the scoreboard before it is all said and done so the odds against on at least 3 goals has to be taken.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Norwich City 2-1 West Ham United
