Tag Archives: Canaries

Gunners must clip Canaries wings

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With the FA Cup final taking place later in the day the Premier League serves up an interesting appetiser in the form of Arsenal against Norwich at 12:45pm. For the Gunners it is a must-win game given recent results as they look to hold onto third. Could a care free Norwich throw a spanner in the works though?

The Gunners fans might have expected their team to have wrapped up third by this point, with two matches to go, given they were well clear off the chasing pack at one point. However, with Arsenal having failed to win any of their last three they have been reeled in by the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham, with both teams just a point behind.

Arsenal must now win their last two games against Norwich and West Brom to make sure of a place in next season’s Champions League, with fourth not guaranteeing anything this year due to Chelsea’s participation in the final against Bayern Munich.

Arsenal won seven home games on the bounce in all competitions before the shock defeat to Wigan and will need to rediscover that golden touch to find a way past Norwich. While the Canaries have lost their last three they have shown on a couple of occasions they can hang with the Premier League’s big boys, winning on their last trip to north London when they beat Tottenham.

If you fancy Norwich to complete a north London double you can back them at 14/1 in the match betting, with Arsenal 2/9 and the draw 5/1. Given that they have secured their place in the top flight for next season you might imagine the Norwich players are already ‘on the beach’. However, Paul Lambert will be keen to get a good performance out of his team following defeats to Manchester City, Blackburn and Liverpool.

Norwich have won five games away from home this season, four of which have come in 2012 as they took three points away from QPR, West Brom, Swansea and Tottenham. However, keeping a clean sheet on the road has been a big problem for Norwich and they have yet to manage it away from Carrow Road.

With that in mind between three and five goals at 4/6 could be worth a punt, especially with Robin van Persie having ended his mini drought last week.

The Football Writers’ Player of the Year has had a fantastic season and his equaliser against Stoke was his 38th goal of the season in all competitions and he can be backed at 2/1 to score two or more against the leaky Canaries.

Van Persie will lead the line again for Arsenal as Wenger gets set to name an unchanged line-up from the one that drew with Stoke last week. The Frenchman has just one new injury to contend with after Abou Diaby was ruled out for the rest of the season.

As far as Norwich are concerned Lambert might decide to make changes to his starting XI after their disappointing display against Liverpool last weekend, with Grant Holt pushing for a recall.

The Gunners should be comfortable winners if they can rediscover a bit of the form which saw them catapult themselves into third and can be backed at 8/13 to beat the Canaries with a minus one handicap if you are looking for a bit more value.

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City won’t cage Canaries

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With the Grand National and an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to on Saturday you could be forgiven for overlooking the four Premier League matches. However, you would be foolish to do so as every game has something riding on it, none more so than the early game between Norwich and Manchester City.

Norwich v Manchester City 12:45pm

City fans will have all but given up on the Premier League after last week’s defeat to Arsenal. However, they may travel to Carrow Road in a more optimistic mood after rivals Manchester United lost to Wigan, while City beat West Brom 4-0. Manager Roberto Mancini might still believe the title is out of their reach but victory at Norwich, coupled with another United slip-up will mean the Manchester derby could be a title decider again.

Having played without any pressure on them on Wednesday, we could see a return to the pessimistic and frail looking outfit which never really got going at the Emirates Stadium last week. City’s away form has been dreadful since November, with just two wins in 10 games hampering their title hopes. Given their poor form, it might come as a surprise to know you can back Norwich at 6/1 to win in the match betting, with City at 8/15 and the draw at 3/1.

The Canaries caused a big upset with a win at Tottenham on Easter Monday and will be flying (pardon the pun) ahead of the visit of City. The last time the Eastlands outfit visited Carrow Road, Delia Smith’s famous ‘Let’s be avin you’ rallying cry failed to inspire her beloved Norwich as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat. Norwich will hope the TV chef doesn’t have to get on the pitch this time, although five wins from 44 matches against City suggests she might have to have a word. With that in mind the draw at 3/1 could be the best bet.

Sunderland v Wolves 3pm

The situation for Wolves is pretty simple – lose at Sunderland on Saturday and leave yourself needing to get something from the trip to Manchester City the following week to avoid relegation.

The Molineux outfit looked destined for the drop after slipping nine points from safety following their defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday. Every club at the bottom has shown some signs of life recently, except for Terry Connor’s men and they look to have already given up the fight.

With Wolves having conceded at least two goals in the last nine games, Sunderland with a -1 handicap at 11/8 looks like the bet of the weekend. Martin O’Neill’s men have little to play for but the Northern Irish manager will be looking for a reaction after being hammered at Everton in their last outing.

Swansea City v Blackburn 3pm

After a fantastic season Swansea look as though they might cross the line with a bit of a whimper following four straight defeats. Despite having not made it past the 40-point mark, some of Brendan Rodgers’ players seem to already be planning their summer holidays. They have scored just once in the last four matches and have seen fortress Liberty stormed twice in that time by Everton and Newcastle. Despite all that they are still favourites at Evens in the match betting, with Rovers on offer at 3/1 and the draw at 12/5.

Blackburn might feel unlucky not to have beaten Liverpool on Tuesday but they failed to take their chances, something they can’t afford to do in Wales given how well the Swans keep the ball. Yakubu grabbed his 15th and 16th goals of the season against the Reds and between him and Junior Hoilett, Blackburn have a couple of players capable of winning the game. Yakubu to score anytime at 15/8 might be worth a punt, as might Rovers to win the game at 3/1.

West Brom v QPR 3pm

Has Mark Hughes finally turned things around at Loftus Road? Three wins in the last five would suggest so, with Rangers finding some form at just the right time. However, those wins have all come at home and on the road you have to go all the way back to November to find their last away win.

The Hawthorns used to be a place visiting teams liked going to but Roy Hodgson has put that right, winning three of the last four as they continue to maintain a place in mid table. West Brom’s results have been tough to predict this season and as such it might be best to sit on the fence for this one, with the draw at 12/5 in the match betting. If you are feeling brave West Brom are 11/10, while QPR are 13/5.

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Canaries can clip Magpies wings

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The Premier League teams will be tested to the maximum over the festive period, with a packed fixture list. Injuries and suspensions are starting to kick in and could have a major impact this weekend – with the rarity of all seven matches kicking off at 3pm.

Norwich v Newcastle

Newcastle’s blistering start has come to an end during a recent tough spell, which has seen the Magpies pick up just one point from their last three games – against Manchester city, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Alan Pardew has lost first-choice centre-back partnership Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor to injury and that may see them slip to a third defeat in four games, when they travel to Carrow Road.

Norwich have surprised many this term and have lost just two of their seven home fixtures to date. The Canaries have also scored the joint-most headed goals in the top division (seven), with Steve Morison and Grant Holt likely to cause a makeshift Newcastle backline problems.

Suggested Bet: Norwich to win @ 6/4

Arsenal v Everton

The Gunners go into this game as strong favourites and it seems highly unlikely they will slip up against an Everton team desperately struggling for goals. The Merseysiders have not won at Arsenal since 1996 and that run looks set to continue.

Mikel Arteta will be particularly keen to show Everton what they are missing and Robin van Persie will be fresh having sat out the midweek Champions League trip to Greece.

Suggested Bet: Van Persie to score 2 or more @ 11/4

Man Utd v Wolves

Sir Alex Ferguson has endured arguably his worst week as United boss for ten years, with the shock midweek Champions League exit and the news that captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season.

The champions normally respond though from key setbacks and Wolves will be fearing a backlash. A lack of striking options will mean Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney should start up front and they will be desperate to quash talk of an Old Trafford crisis.

Suggested Bet: Welbeck to score at anytime @ 8/11

Liverpool v QPR

Kenny Dalglish’s men are unbeaten at home this season, but draws against Swansea and Norwich have frustrated fans and management alike. An unfortunate defeat at Fulham on Monday makes this a must-win game for the Reds as they look to keep pace in the race for the top four.

QPR are capable of causing any team problems on their day, recording victories over Chelsea and at Stoke this season. Their away form has been more miss than hit though and the stats suggest they will struggle to clinch a second ever win at Anfield – their first coming in 1991.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Liverpool FT @ 7/2

Bolton v Aston Villa

Bolton’s home form is one of the biggest puzzles of the Premier League to date – their record at the Reebok is normally impressive, but they have lost six of their seven home games this term. The only win was a crushing 5-0 success over Stoke but Villa could provide Owen Coyle’s men with their second scalp.

Villa have struggled with form and injuries in recent weeks and head to the North West having failed to win on the road this season. Pressure is already growing on Alex McLeish, who was an unpopular appointment among many Villa fans.

Suggested Bet: Bolton win @ 6/4

Swansea v Fulham

These two teams are almost a mirror image, hard to break down but struggling for goals. The Swans and Cottagers have scored just 30 goals between them this term so expect a low scoring affair.

Martin Jol’s men gained a much needed win over Liverpool which will boost their confidence, but Swansea have the pace to cause a sluggish Fulham backline some problems.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6

West Brom v Wigan

The Baggies have not pulled up any trees so far this season and their home form – two wins from seven matches – will be a concern for Roy Hodgson. They look strong enough though not to be dragged into a relegation battle…..unlike their opponents on Saturday.

Many believe Wigan are already doomed, but they have picked up four points from their last three games and did take four points off West Brom last season – which included a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ 13/5

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Bluebirds and Canaries to soar

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Everybody knows two into one doesn’t go, but that is the situation facing Norwich City and Cardiff City heading into the last two matches of the Championship season. With QPR taking the first of two automatic promotion positions there is just one left to play for as the Canaries and Bluebirds prepare for their respective bank holiday Monday games.

Both clubs take on teams with nothing to play for in Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, and come Monday night you’d expect there to be still just a point separating the two promotion hopefuls. We preview both games and pick out the best bets in the Championship double header.

Cardiff v Middlesbrough (5:15pm)
The Welsh outfit have been on fire of late and if they don’t overhaul Norwich they will certainly be the favourites to erase the play-off heartache of last season. Five wins in the last six matches have seen the Bluebirds keep the pressure on Norwich, recovering from a mid-season slump which threatened to derail their automatic promotion hopes. Dave Jones’ men know they must not lose to take the promotion chase to the last day of the season and will be confident of taking apart a Boro side who are now safe from the drop.

Tony Mowbray has given the Teeside outfit a renewed sense of hope after Gordon Strachan’s disastrous time in charge, epitomised by their record of coming behind to win on eight separate occasions. Boro have lost just once in the last ten league matches but have an awful record at Cardiff, losing on their last six visits to the Welsh capital. The Bluebirds are 8/15 to pick up the win at home and having averaged two goals a game at the Cardiff City Stadium recently will be confident of picking up another three points. With that in mind the handicap market will be worth a look, especially if Jay Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Peter Whittingham all play.

Match bet - Cardiff to win @ 6/5 with a -1 handicap

Portsmouth v Norwich (7:45pm)
Two more wins and Norwich will be back in the big time just three seasons after being relegated to League One. The future at Carrow Road looked bleak when they dropped out of the Championship but under Paul Lambert the Canaries have been flying. The East Anglia outfit have won their last three matches, including last week’s dramatic stoppage time victory against Derby, which put QPR’s promotion party on hold for another week.

They travel to Portsmouth knowing that if Cardiff lose against Boro they can be promoted, and they will fancy their chances against a Pompey side who have been poor since making sure they will be in the Championship next season. Steve Cotterill’s men have one won of their last nine matches and some of their players look like they are already on the beach. With that in mind it might be worth looking at Totesport’s enhanced double, which is giving punters odds of 9/4 that both Norwich and Cardiff win. They are also offering 20/1 on Bothroyd of Cardiff and Grant Holt of Norwich both to score in their respective games.

While the Canaries do look nervous they should have enough in their locker to take care of Portsmouth, especially when you consider their last away game resulted in a 5-1 victory for Lambert’s men.

Match bet – Norwich to win @11/10

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Canaries primed for promotion

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The heat is on in the Championship this week, and not just because of the weather. With four games left to go for each club, there is plenty up for grabs for the majority of the teams – none more so than Norwich, who are looking to complete back-to-back promotions and face local rivals Ipswich on Thursday.

The Tractor Boys will be desperate for revenge after a 4-1 drubbing at Carrow Road earlier in the season. Paul Jewell has got Ipswich flying, could they be about to throw a giant spanner in the works for Norwich?

Not many would have picked Norwich to go up this year, given their recent financial struggles and the fact they only got out of League One last season. However, the Canaries are now evens to be promoted after a fantastic season.

Paul Lambert has worked wonders, developing Grant Holt into the goal-machine he has always threatened to be. The 30-year-old was given the recognition his season has deserved on Sunday, when he was included in the PFA Team of the Year. Ipswich know all about Holt’s power after he ripped their backline to shreds in the corresponding fixture, bagging a hat-trick on home soil.

The Canaries are not a one man team though, with Wes Hoolahan, Korey Smith and Chris Martin all catching the eye this season. Simeon Jackson has also come into his own recently after taking the place of Martin and might be worth a look to score anytime at 7/4, with Holt at 6/5.

Norwich’s fantastic season has been down in large part to their form away from home, losing just four times on their travels all season. They have also been able to dig deep when it counts, scoring 16 goals in the last ten minutes of matches.

Since Roy Keane’s disastrous reign was brought to an end, Ipswich have been on the march – winning nine of their 18 games since Jewell took over. Town are still in with a mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs, currently sitting six points outside the top six. While they would have to win all their remaining games, a victory over their local rivals could be just the tonic they need to go on a winning run.

Ipswich have won four of the last five, although it is their form away from Portman Road that has been more impressive than recent victories over perennial strugglers. The Tractor Boys revival has been spurred on by loan star Jimmy Bullard and 17-year-old Josh Carson, who has scored three goals in his last three appearances.

Thursday’s clash between two of the league’s in-form teams is probably one of the hardest to call of the Easter weekend Championship bonanza. For that reason, the safe bet seems to be the draw at 23/10.

Ipswich will be desperate to avoid being turned over again and Norwich would probably take a point, despite the tight nature of the race for the second automatic promotion spot. For those brave few who fancy one side to win outright, Norwich are 17/10 and Ipswich are 8/5.

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Canaries look to cull the Swans

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It is another massive weekend in the Championship with 12 games all taking place on Saturday. Champions-elect QPR (1/33 Outright) look virtually home and dry, so the battle is on to see which two teams will join them in the Premier League via automatic promotion and the play-offs, while the battle to stay in the Championship continues at the other end of the table.

Here are five games which we feel will have a big impact on issues at both ends of the Championship on Saturday.

SWANSEA V NORWICH (5.20pm)

Arguably the biggest game in the Championship has been picked for TV coverage and will kick off in the early evening at the Liberty Stadium. This could well be the game that Norwich make a significant stride towards securing that second automatic spot (Norwich 5/6 Promotion) if they win in South Wales.

Paul Lambert’s side currently sit four points clear of the Swans following last weekend’s stunning 6-0 win against Scunthorpe and they are unbeaten in over two months.
Red-hot striker Grant Holt will look to celebrate his new three-year deal with a goal for the Canaries (6/1 First Goalscorer) following his treble against the Iron.

Brendan Rodgers’ side, whose promotion hopes have been dented by three successive away defeats to struggling Preston, Derby and Scunthorpe are usually a lot stronger on home soil and will no doubt pose a big threat to Norwich.
It should be a closely-fought encounter and it is therefore hard to pick a winner.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: S Sinclair 1st Goal 1-1 Draw Scorecast  @ 22/1

DONCASTER V CARDIFF (3pm)

This encounter at the Keepmoat Stadium will have implications at both ends of the table with Cardiff (8/5 Promotion) sat in third spot and looking for maximum points to keep pressure on second-placed Norwich.

However, Rovers are not completely safe from relegation so they will look for three points to virtually secure Championship football for next season.

Cardiff drew 3-3 at Millwall in their last away game, although they will go into this clash on the back of last week’s thumping 4-1 home win against Derby.

Michael Chopra is still ruled out due to injury, but the Bluebirds have more than enough firepower to see them through this one.

Doncaster are without their influential striker Billy Sharp so will again be lacking up front as they have only managed one goal in their last four outings.

Sean O’Driscoll will point to Cardiff’s recent 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Crystal Palace to give his side hope, but the Welshmen will have just too much.

Prediction: Cardiff Away Win 90 Minutes @ 6/5
Value Bet: Cardiff to Win 2-0 Correct Score @ 8/1

MILLWALL V LEEDS (3pm)

A big game in south London between two sides with slightly differing targets at this moment in time. Kenny Jackett’s Lions are six points off a play-off place, while Leeds sit in fifth spot and are six points off the automatic promotion places (Leeds 7/2 Promotion).

Victory for Millwall would push them closer to those top-six places with just six matches remaining, while Simon Grayson’s men could be left to focus on staying in those places if they lose and results elsewhere go against them.

Millwall (14/1 promotion)  have won three of their last four, including a 2-0 success against league leaders QPR at the intimidating Den, so they will fancy their chances of another positive result against Leeds, who they also have a good record against on home soil.

Leeds smashed Nottingham Forest 4-1 at Elland Road last week, but lost 2-0 at struggling Sheffield United in their last away game.

The Whites will have to improve dramatically on that display, but are good enough to get at least a share of the spoils.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Millwall/Draw HT/FT @14/1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V READING (3PM)

This match-up at the City Ground sees a Forest side which is in free-fall against a Royals outfit which is one of the in-form Championship sides. As a result Brian McDermott’s men have usurped Billy Davies’ injury-hit Forest in the final play-off spot in the past week.

Therefore, Forest must try and use their usually reliable home form to claw their way back into contention of a top-six finish, but it will not be easy given that they have now not won in eight league outings and have Chris Cohen suspended after his red card at Leeds.

In the meantime Reading (7/2 Promotion) moved three points clear of Forest after the midweek win against Preston made it five successive victories and stretched the unbeaten run to nine.
Forest have only lost once at home all season and for that reason you’dfancy them not to be beaten, although it will be a close contest.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: 2-2 Draw Correct Score @ 12/1

SHEFFIELD UNITED V MIDDLESBROUGH (3pm)

The game of the day at the wrong end of the Championship sees third-bottom Sheffield United facing fellow strugglers Boro at Bramall Lane in a game they simply cannot afford to lose. In fact anything less than three points could be fatal for the Blades, who are currently seven points adrift of safety.

The omens are good for the South Yorkshire outfit given that they have a history of coming out on top in this fixture, while they have beaten Nottingham Forest and Leeds in their previous home games.

Tony Mowbray’s Boro are unbeaten in four league games with two wins and two draws to see them sit 10 points clear of the third-bottom Blades. They will be boosted by the return of captain Matthew Bates from a two-month hamstring injury lay-off and know a win would virtually guarantee their safety.

An interesting clash in store but United’s pure desperation for three points will see them edge this encounter.

Prediction: Sheffield United Home win 90 Minutes @ 13/10
Value Bet: R Cresswell 1st goal Sheff United win 1-0 Scorecast @ 28/1

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Canaries to fly into contention

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After witnessing their Championship promotion rivals falter around them this weekend, Norwich City have the opportunity to pull clear of the pack in the second automatic promotion place (6/4 Promotion) behind runaway leaders QPR when they entertain Bristol City on Monday evening at Carrow Road.

Neil Warnock’s R’s (1/6 Outright) moved 10 points clear at the top of the Championship thanks to Saturday’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, but the rest of the top-seven sides failed to win, which gives Paul Lambert’s men a huge incentive to go three points clear of the pack with just nine games remaining.

Lambert is set to name an unchanged side following last Tuesday’s impressive 3-2 win at Leicester for the game as Norwich chase a first league double over the Robins in 21 years.

However, while Norwich have enjoyed success on the road in recent games, they seem to be struggling to secure points on home soil having been held to 1-1 draws by struggling Doncaster and bottom club Preston in their last two outings at Carrow Road.

Despite those slips the Canaries are still unbeaten in six games and have only lost once in 15 to show they have what it takes to stay the course for a place in the Premier League.

Bristol City will not be a pushover for Norwich as they have virtually banished any relegation fears with a four-match winning run lifting them towards mid-table.

Keith Millen’s side have not won five on the bounce in more than two years, but are more than capable of taking maximum points in East Anglia given that they have won on their last two trips to Carrow Road.

The Robins will hope to be boosted by the return of loan defender Steven Caulker following a hip problem, while Liam Fontaine is battling to shake off an ankle injury.

Nicky Maynard (7/1 First Goalscorer) could be the danger man for Bristol City as he has found the net three times in as many games since returning from a long-term injury problem and he could be one to watch when the action gets underway.

Prediction: Draw @ 13/5
Value Bet: Maynard 1st Goal 2-2 Draw @ 66/1

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Eagles can soar past Canaries

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dougie freedmanDespite much of the focus being on the FA Cup this weekend, there are some crucial games taking place in the Championship with fixtures affecting both the top and bottom of the table. Crystal Palace could be the big winners, as they look to move out of the bottom three…

Crystal Palace v Norwich (Sat 3pm)

The Eagles may be struggling to maintain their Championship status, but they have shown signs of improvement under Dougie Freedman and the return of James Vaughan will be crucial. The Everton striker has return to Selhurst Park on loan, and having scored five goals in his previous stint this season, could prove the difference between survival and relegation.

Although their away record is poor, Palace have not lost at home since October – a run of six games – and they will be desperate to derail Norwich’s promotion hopes. The Canaries have surprised many this season, with late goals crucial for them in recent games. But Palace beat them 2-1 at Carrow Road earlier in the season and could be a good bet to do the double.

Match Bet: Palace to win @ 9/5

Hull City v QPR (Sat 3pm)

QPR still look the strongest team in the league, helped by a couple of useful additions during the transfer window ? Wayne Routledge and Danny Shittu. The R’s will be further tested though by a Hull City side, who has lost just one of their last 12 league games.

The Tigers have the second best defensive home record in Championship – conceding just six goals all season – and the goal-scoring threat of Matty Fryatt makes them serious play-off contenders. QPR have lost just twice away from Loftus Road and this looks like being a stalemate, which would be a decent result for both teams.

Match Bet: Draw @ 23/10

Millwall v Barnsley (Fri 7:45pm)

With just three places and two points separating the two teams, this clash at the New Den is a tough one to call. The Tykes have responded really well to losing their star man Adam Hammill to wolves ? picking up four points from a possible six since the winger’s departure, and their 2-0 win at Doncaster in midweek was impressive.
Millwall have lost just three of their 13 home games to date and have won their last four home league games, conceding just one goal in that run.

Match Bet: Steve Morison to score at anytime@ Evens

Scunthorpe v Preston (Sat 3pm)

These two teams are staring League One in the face, but both will remain hopeful of pulling off the great escape – three points here for either team could be crucial. Scunthorpe have the added pressure of being at home, where they  have gained just one win all season.

Preston meanwhile, will be buoyed by two back-to-back draws since Phil Brown took charge, thanks to two late goals. North End could go one better at Glanford Park this weekend.

Match Bet: Preston to win @ 7/4.

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