Norwich v Sunderland Preview

Norwich come into the game feeling really good about themselves, having gone on an 8 match unbeaten run while Sunderland continued their patchy form, grinding a 0-0 draw against lowly QPR. With both teams expected to be near the relegation places come the end of the season, both managers will be desperate not to let the other team gain an advantage.

Norwich's recent resurgence can be mainly attributed to the good form of Grant Holt. Whether Holt can make a positive impact on the game will be very dependant of referee Phil Dowd. Grant's game is largely physical and often borders on a foul. If Dowd decides to penalize his tiny shoves from the off, he will just concede a lot of free kicks for his team. Credit also has to be given to the back five, with Norwich conceding a goal or less in all of their last five games. Mark Bunn has deputized well for the injured John Ruddy in goal and Garrido is both defensively capable as well as being able to join in attack to deliver a good cross. The only concern I have is of Whittaker, who remains culpable at times defensively. He seems to be slow on the turn and has been caught on his heels a few times this season.

Sunderland knows that they need to pick up points in this game, with a tough run of games looming in the horizon. The goals of Fletcher has dried up of late though the rest of the team has chipped in more than at the start of the season. What Sunderland lacks up front is movement though. I don't recall them scoring many from through balls and that is the problem. Thus, their main route to goal is through crosses and they possess a band of players who can really cross well, especially Larsson. Their main claim to points will be achieved only if they regain their defensive solidity, which they displayed against QPR but had been lacking in previous games. Kilgallon getting into the team seemw to have helped them defensively and I will probably select him over Bramble for his physicality which will be needed against Holt.

Predictions:

I fancy Sunderland to start fast in this game but Norwich to attempt to get back by pressing players forward in the second half. The correct score of 2-1 has a good price of 10/1 but what really tempts me is 5/4 for Sunderland to score first. Sunderland to get a 2-0 lead into halftime is only at 18/1 and I guess the odds are not as good as can be. The last one I like the look of is for Kilgallon to score anytime at 16/1 as Sunderland can be a danger at set pieces.