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Norwich City will be looking to build on their first Premier League win of the season on Monday when they host Sunderland at Carrow Road.
The Canaries picked up an excellent 2-1 win at Bolton last weekend, securing their first three points since winning promotion to the top flight last season.
They will be aiming to follow this up with their first home win of the campaign though as they will be aware at how important winning games on home soil is to surviving in this league.
The win at Bolton was significant – it was Norwich’s first Premier league win on the road for 17 years – but a victory in front of their home fans would be more than welcome on Monday evening.
Paul Lambert’s men will want better luck than the last time the Sky cameras were at Carrow Road a couple of weeks ago of course. They went down 1-0 to West Brom, despite having a lot of possession and a late penalty shout turned down.
As for Sunderland, they will look at this as they type of game they need to get a positive result from if they are to achieve at least a top ten finish this year.
So far this campaign Steve Bruce’s men have been inconsistent to say the least. From their opening five games, they have won once, lost once and drawn twice.
They will be boosted by the 4-0 victory over Stoke City in their last outing though. It was a contest where everything seemed to click for the first time this season and they will want this to continue in Norfolk on Monday evening.
Team news wise, Norwich have no fresh injury concerns, although defensive trio Zak Whitbread Elliott Ward and Dani Ayala are all still sidelined. For the first time this season, Lambert could be tempted to start with the same side for two games in succession.
Sunderland will be without the suspended Phil Bardsley as well as the injured David Meyler, Craig Gordon and Fraizer Campbell.
The last time the two sides met was two years ago in a Carling Cup tie. Steve Bruce’s men ran out 4-1 winners that day against a Norwich side that were sitting towards the bottom of the League One table.
How times have changed. This should be a lively encounter and is certainly a tough one to predict.
Match odds
Home advantage and victory in their previous game actually makes Norwich slight favourites for this one. They are available at 2.50 (6/4) with Bet365 for the three points.
Sunderland – who have drawn both of their away games so far – are certainly in with a chance though and can be backed with the same bookie at 2.80 (9/5) to win.
The draw is likely to be a popular selection. This is available at 3.40 (12/5) with BetFred.
Correct Score
This is an interesting one as the home game against West Brom a couple of weeks ago was a rare occurrence for Norwich. They normally get themselves on the score sheet. As such, a 1-0 home win can be backed at 8.00 (7/1) with SkyBet.
However, it must be considered that the Canaries have looked vulnerable at the back this year, so if you are backing them for the win, odds of 34.00 (33/1) with William Hill for a 3-2 home win might be the way to go.
If it’s an away win you fancy, Sunderland are 12.00 (11/1) for a 2-1 win, while a 1-1 draw can be backed at 6.50 (11/2) with TitanBet.
First goalscorer
There is bound to be goals in this one, so the first goalscorer market is an interesting one. Favourite to find the back of the net first is Nicklas Bendtner. The on-loan Arsenal man can be backed at 7.00 (6/1) with BoyleSports.
Norwich’s best chance of going ahead is club skipper Grant Holt, available at odds of 8.00 (7/1) with Coral. His team-mate Steve Morison – who started ahead of Holt at Bolton – is available at 7.50 (13/2)
A good outside bet might be Wesley Hoolahan though. He has been in decent form for Lambert in the last couple of games and is available at a generous 14.00 (13/1) to score first.
Recommended bets
Norwich to win 3-2 @ 34.00 (33/1)
Wesley Hoolahan to score first @ 14.00 (13/1)
