Where? Sky Sports
When? Sun 20 Apr 2014 12:00
Norwich v Liverpool, Carrow Road, showing on Sky Sports 1 HD
Referee: Andre Marriner
With just four games to go in the Premier League season, all eyes are on pace setters Liverpool. If the Reds win all of their remaining games, they will be crowned league champions for the first time in 24 years.
Next up for Brendan Rodgers and his team is a trip to struggling Norwich. While Liverpool are tantalisingly close to the title, the Canaries are perilously close the relegation zone and a defeat this weekend could see them drop into the bottom three if other results do not go their way.
The statistics do not look promising for Norwich. Liverpool has scored five goals in each their last three meetings and Luis Suarez has scored a total of 11 goals including three hat-tricks in the last four games against them. Norwich have not beaten the Merseyside club in the league since 1994.
Liverpool have won their last 10 Premier League games in a row and are unbeaten in 2014. During the same period Norwich have won three, drawn four and lost eight. The Norfolk club also have an inexperienced manager at the helm after dismissing Chris Hughton two weeks ago.
Despite their poor form, Norwich did go six home games unbeaten prior to the 0-1 defeat to West Brom a fortnight ago. That run included a win over Spurs and a goalless draw with Manchester City and Brendan Rodgers will be fully aware of the danger that a relegation-threatened team can pose.
Home games involving Norwich have an average of 11.4 corners and away games involving Liverpool have an average of 10.5. The balance is therefore in favour of over 10.5 in the corner betting market for this match.
Norwich are the league’s lowest scorers but Liverpool are the highest. Regardless of what Norwich do, Liverpool can be expected to push this goal tally over the 2.5 benchmark as their away game average is 2.5 for and 1.6 against. And of course, Luis Suarez loves to score against Norwich. For another goal betting option, back Suarez to score anytime at 4/6 with Betfair.
Daniel Sturridge may be left out of this game and Jordan Henderson is banned so Rodgers will have to make some changes for this game. If Sturridge is left out, then Suarez may be deployed in a more central position and the Norwich defenders will not be looking forward to facing him again. A fourth hat-trick in five games for Suarez can be backed at 11/1 with Stan James.
Neil Adams faces an unenviable task in trying to end Liverpool’s unbeaten run and there is little to suggest they his team have the ability to do so. Even with the potential changes to the Liverpool starting line-up, they have the players, the confidence and the ability to brush Norwich aside and look forward to next weekend’s showdown with Chelsea at Anfield.
Match Prediction: Norwich 0-4 Liverpool