This is not the return to the top flight that Norwich City were envisioning. The Canaries appeared to be well on their way to staying in the Premier League after some impressive performances in their first five matches. Norwich City defeated Newcastle United in their first home game, and they nearly knocked off Chelsea the following week. Their victory over defending league champions Manchester City appeared to ensconce their status as survivors, but they have won just one domestic match in their last 13 games. That has led to Norwich City falling into a tie for last place with Watford, and they likely need at least 20 points over the second half of the season to survive. The Canaries will be underdogs per the EPL betting odds at home against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend though.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Carrow Road in Norwich, England at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC.
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Odds Analysis
Spurs have improved markedly since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho. Under Pochettino, Spurs were 3-5-4 and stuck in the middle of the table a third of the way through the campaign. Mourinho’s hiring has given this team a spark though, and they have won four of their last six matches. The back line is still a surprising issue as Spurs are on pace to give up 56 goals this season though.
Tottenham have yet to beat a Big Six opponent this season. They drew against Manchester City and Arsenal in their first four matches, but they fell to Liverpool and lost to Manchester United and Chelsea under Mourinho. If they are to make a run into the top four and secure a spot in next year’s Champions League that must change. Spurs are currently six points behind fourth-place Chelsea.
The Canaries have the worst back line in the Premier League. They have allowed 37 goals in 18 matches, and that has significantly hurt their chances of staying up. Norwich were never a team designed to follow the traditional model of parking the bus and playing for draws, and it’s unfortunate that their appealing style has not translated into more points.
Norwich have played well against the cream of the crop this year though, beating Manchester City and Everton and drawing with Arsenal and Leicester City. That gives the club hope that manager Daniel Farke can make it happen.
Key Injuries
Tottenham will be without three usual starters this weekend. Son Heung-min has been suspended for three games after a straight red card against Chelsea last week, and first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris remains out with an arm injury. Ben Davies sustained ligament damage in his ankle last month, and he will be out for the foreseeable future too.
Timm Klose isn’t expected back until the final month of the season because of a major knee injury he sustained last month, and Ben Godfrey is sidelined for about six more weeks after tearing an LCL. Josip Drmic could return in two weeks, but he will miss this match with a thigh injury.
Matchup to Watch
Harry Kane and Teemu Pukki are two of the best goal scorers in the league. Kane and Pukki each lead their clubs with nine goals, and they are tasked with carrying their teams as their defenses struggle. That should lead to a fun, entertaining match where both clubs are constantly pushing up and down the pitch.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The over should be an excellent play provided it isn’t higher than 3 and 3.5.
English Premier League Odds: Tottenham Hotspur 3, Norwich City 2
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