Southampton Vs Norwich City
Wednesday 4 December 2019 – 19:30 (kick-off)
English Premier League
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: WilliamHill
English Premier League Betting with 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct as of 2 December 2019 at 08:00)
Preview: A basement battle at St Mary’s between teams occupying two out of the three relegation positions. The pair will however arrive with positive results recently secured, so this should be an absorbing contest between Southampton and Norwich City.
Southampton Vs Norwich City Live Stats & Betting Odds
Southampton Preview – Can Hasenhuttl mastermind successive victories?
It make have taken well over three months but, at long last, the home crowd at St Mary’s have witnessed a Southampton (18th – W3 D3 L8, GF15 GA32) victory in the Premier League. Beating Watford 2-1 on Saturday, coming from a goal down to score twice inside the final quarter of the game through Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse, was the best possible start ahead of embarking on a crucial run of four straight fixtures against sides currently situated in the bottom half of the table.
That win last time out would end a host of unwanted streaks. It was a first in nine league games (W1 D2 L6) since mid-September, and a first as hosts (W1 D1 L5). It did, however, maintain their high percentage for being involved in entertaining affairs at St Mary’s: six of seven home matches have now produced either both teams scoring or over 2.5 goals. Meanwhile, Danny Ings maintained his terrific form to score his seventh league goal of the season, although it was his first in victory.
Even though the Saints were good value for their win over Watford (xG: SOU 1.79 – 0.64 WAT), it wasn’t without controversery. By the laws of the game their opening goal should not have stood, after hitting the hand of the lively Moussa Djenepro in the build up, while the winner from Ward-Prowse probably could have been saved. It was also the ninth successive league game in which they conceded. A big win nonetheless and huely important for team morale, but further improvements are definitely required if they are to kick on under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Norwich City Preview – Replenished Canaries a force once more?
It is amazing what having more of your best players back fit and available can do for results. Suddenly Norwich (19th – W3 D2 L9, GF15 GA30), who were looking a hopeless cause not that long ago, are a team revitalised and seem capable of troubling almost anybody. Sunday’s 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal complemented a 2-0 scoreline in the game before at Everton, meaning four points from the last six available were added to a reinvigorated survival cause – the team’s best sequence of the season.
In terms of chances created, Norwich were a clear second best against Arsenal (xG: NOR 0.88 – 2.42 ARS). For much of the second half, though, it was Daniel Farke’s men on top and in the ascendency. It was also the first time Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell scored in the same encounter since that memorable victory over Manchester City in September, with the former ending a run of eight without a goal. Conversely, Cantwell now has two in as many games.
Momentum is clearly with the Canaries. Confidence is flowing again; the team are creating chances and no longer are they seemingly overawed by anyone and everyone. This should bode well ahead of a pivotal fixture against a fellow relegation candidate, although, despite all this newfound optimism, it would irresponsible to fail to mention just how poor their record remains on the road. Just one win (W1 L6) and three scored (the lowest figure in the league), failing to net a single goal on five occasions.
Southampton Vs Norwich City Key Facts:
- A run of eight Premier League games without a win (D2 L6) was finally ended in the last round of matches by Southampton, after beating Watford 2-1 at home.
- Drawing at home to Arsenal (2-2) last weekend made it two games unbeaten for Norwich (W1 D1) – their longest-such streak of the term.
- Southampton have won the previous three meetings at St Mary’s in league and cup, with Norwich last winning there in 2008 when both were in the second tier.
Betting Summary
This was always going to be a huge fixture at the bottom of the Premier League. That certainly hasn’t changed, with both teams still occupying relegation places. However, last weekend’s results has changed the dynamic. Both should now have a spring in their step, and both have showed a willingness to play some positive, progressive football lately – and the pair have been rewarded accordingly.
Southampton (3/4 Betfair) will fancy their chances at home. Goals have been a regular feature of games at St Mary’s so far and I don’t foresee that changing here. Norwich (7/2 BetVictor) arrive having scored twice in each of the last two games and will ask questions of a home defence that has gone nine league games without a clean sheet. Expect neither side to hold back in search of a crucial win, therefore.
Some potential goalscorer bets include Danny Ings (49/50 to score anytime with Unibet) for Southampton, who is seeking to score in a fourth successive league game, and Todd Cantwell (10/3 with Bet365), with the Norwich man netting in each of the last two.
