Verdict: Tottenham win and both teams to score
Best Odds: 21/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
Hoping to open the New Year in the top-four, Tottenham will make the trip to a struggling Carrow Road on Saturday evening.
Norwich
Starting with the hosts, while Norwich may have dominated large spells of their matchup at Villa Park on Boxing Day, Daniel Farke’s side once again came away empty-handed. In what was being billed as a real Christmas six-pointer for the two Premier League returners, the Yellows eventually slumped to a 1-0 defeat in the Midlands and are seen to be an overwhelming favorite to be hit with a Championship return come May. While their creativity in the final third might be impressing many across England’s top-tier, a huge part of Norwich’s torrid end to 2019 has come down to some glaring issues at the back. With no Premier League outfit shipping more than thier 35 strikes this season, Saturday’s hosts have also shipped at least a pair of goals in each of their last eight consecutive matches at Carrow Road. Opening the weekend fixtures sat one-point adrift at the foot of the table, fans in East Anglia will also be concerned by their side’s most recent meeting against Spurs. When the two sides last faced off back in 2016, Tottenham landed a convincing 3-0 win on their travels.
Team News
Norwich head coach Daniel Farke may make changes as he tries to address a run of six matches without a victory.
He remains without striker Josip Drmic and long-term injury victims Ben Godfrey and Timm Klose.
Tottenham
As for the visitors, while they might not have been at their best over the weekend, Tottenham managed to avoid a scare after battling from behind to snatch a 2-1 win off of Brighton in North London. With Chelsea also slipping up against Southampton in the capital on Boxing Day, Jose Mourinho’s new men sit just three points adrift of the top-four and leapfrogging his former employers. While leading marksman and attacking talisman Harry Kane may have once again found the net against the Seagulls 48 hours ago, Spurs are another outfit who are dealing with some issues at the back. Managing to record just a single clean sheet in any of Mourinho’s eight matches since taking charge, the Lilywhites have also managed to record just a single Premier League clean sheet since the 14th of September, a 13-match run. While they might be struggling to find their best at a consistent rate, Spurs have landed back-to-back victories against Norwich and they should be confident of reclaiming their top-four status this weekend.
Team News
Tottenham are without the suspended trio of Son Heung-min, Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Norwich last faced off against Tottenham in the 2015/2016 campaign, Spurs picked up back-to-back 3-0 wins.
- Norwich have lost four of their last five Premier League matches.
- Saturday’s hosts have also conceded at least a pair of goals in each of their last eight matches at Carrow Road.
- Tottenham have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of Jose Mourinho’s matches in charge.
- Harry Kane has scored four goals in his last two matches against Norwich.
Conclusion
On paper, Tottenham should see this weekend’s trip to East Anglia as a golden opportunity to write off their top-four deficit. While Jose Mourinho’s men might be struggling to find their best, Norwich’s continued issues at the back, particularly at Carrow Road could be a perfect chance for Spurs to land back-to-back victories in their final appearance of the decade. With Harry Kane bagging a brace in each of his last two matchups against Saturday’s hosts, we’re backing Spurs to come away with all three points in what could be a lively encounter.
Verdict: Tottenham win and both teams to score
Best Odds: 21/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
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