Norwich v Tottenham Betting Tip 2, 02-02-2016

Spurs to continue excellent form with another win

Premier League Tips

February 2nd 2016 Kickoff: 1945hrs
Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur
Football – England – Premier League

There’s a full card of Premier League fixtures this midweek, and two sides with contrasting ambitions fortunes face off at Carrow Road as a Norwich side looking to stay in the league come up against high-flying Tottenham, who are beginning to be spoken about as genuine title contenders.

It is a little over a year since Alex Neil took charge of Norwich, and the former Hamilton boss – the youngest in the Premier League – has been impressive with nearly all he has done at the club. Guiding the team to promotion via the playoffs was a massive achievement considering the difficulties they faced earlier in the campaign, and although they are just one place and two points outside bottom three, there remains a lot of optimism and hope that they can survive their first season back in the top-flight since 2014. Having been knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, Norwich have not played since the amazing 5-4 defeat at home to Liverpool on the 23rd of January – a match which epitomised much of their season in the sense that they are able to match the better teams in this league, have a lot of goals in them, but simply need to defend better.

Tottenham fans could be forgiven for having to pinch themselves as this current point in time, not solely because they are just five points off the top of the table, but because there is a growing sense of belief surrounding the club which has been missing for a number of years. Spurs supporters will be used to false dawns in the recent past, but this has a different feel about it. I’m not stating that the club will go on a clinch the title, but it would be equally as foolish to write a team who have show incredible consistency all season off because of previous demises suffered at this stage of a season. Of course, clinching a top four finish is still the main goal, but with a healthy five point cushion over the chasing pack, it’s only right that Mauricio Pochettino and his players begin looking up. Confidence is growing at White Hart Lane and that is being reflected in recent performances, especially in attack.

Neil has sought to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window, with the most notable addition being Steven Naismith’s arrival from Everton. Having played against him during his time in Scotland, and as a manager down south, Neil will know exactly what he is getting. Naismith didn’t take long to make his mark at his new club, scoring on his debut against Liverpool. It’s that sort of immediate impact that Norwich require, and whilst that particular game ended in defeat, if he continues to be as threatening, he will be a major player for the club in their battle for survival.

It’s been a relatively quiet window for Spurs with no major incomings, and only a few fringe players departing. Many expected the club to sign another central striker to reduce the burden on Harry Kane, but Pochettino has opted to go with what he has as Tottenham look to compete on three fronts between now and the end of the season. The fact that Spurs have been on a rich run of goalscoring form over the last month or so (23 goals in their last 10 games) is probably another reason why the manager has refrained from splashing money on a player, or a deal, that wasn’t quite right for the team.

Norwich v Tottenham Betting Tips

This game is the reverse of the Boxing Day fixture which ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for Tottenham. It’s unlikely to be as routine for the North London club on this occasion, however, as Norwich have proven to be a different side when playing at home. Neil’s men have nearly conceded twice as many goals in their travels as the have done at Carrow Road, whilst they have won double the number of games. They come up against a team who are very efficient on the road in this encounter, though, a team who have lost just on away game in the league all season, and that came way back in August. Spurs also possess the best defensive record in this year’s Premier League.

Norwich will have to defend much better than they managed against Liverpool if they are to get anything out of this game, but they can take confidence from having taken points off Arsenal, Everton and Southampton at home this term. They are on a run of four straight defeats, however, and such is the confidence that their opponents are playing with at the moment, I’m afraid for Norwich’s sake, I expect Spurs to take all three points as the continue to put pressure on the teams above them.

Tottenham 10/11 @ William Hill