Sporting Life
Our preview and best bets for Norwich v Watford in the Premier League
Our preview and best bets for Norwich v Watford in the Premier League

Norwich v Watford betting preview: Prediction & best bets for Premier League game at Carrow Road

By Ben Coley
Football
Fri November 08, 2019 · 5y ago

Friday night football takes place at Carrow Road, where Norwich will present Watford with a great opportunity to end their winless run.

Recommended bets

2pts Watford to beat Norwich at 13/8

1pt Todd Cantwell to score at 4/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

Norwich v Watford (2000 GMT, Sky Sports Premier League)

Their winless run in the Premier League stands at 15 games, yet Watford find themselves favourites to end it - and they're not even playing at home.

That's because, in Norwich, they face a side who have scored just two consolation goals in the six games they've played since a famous and unfathomable victory against Manchester City, one which was meant to underline that they were going to build Premier League survival within the walls of Carrow Road.

Things have not gone to plan since, and Daniel Farke's side have lost the creative spark which looked like it would keep them in just about any Premier League gunfight.

So much rests on the shoulders of Teemu Pukki, who scored five in his first three and the decisive goal against City. Since then, he's managed only a brace for Finland and while Farke was more satisfied with the support he received at Brighton last time, Norwich's expected goals figure was in fact their lowest of the season.

"We spoke before the season that we are the favourite for position 20 so it is not a huge surprise we don't win every week," was the bleak assessment of Farke during the week, but the time is now for the Canaries - their fixtures until the end of 2019 include home games against Watford, Sheffield United and Wolves, before Crystal Palace come to town on New Year's Day.

In theory, they could pick no better opponents than Watford, but I think the Hornets are worth favouritism and rate a decent bet.

Yes, you have to go back 15 games for their last win, against Huddersfield, and they last beat a current Premier League side in January.

But they were better against Chelsea, much better, unfortunate to some extent not to extend their unbeaten run to four, and it's worth something that they were very good against struggling sides last year, winning at Cardiff and Huddersfield and drawing at Fulham.

Much has changed since the most recent of those, and Norwich have been boosted in the fitness stakes this week - particularly in defence. However, Watford could welcome back the talismanic Troy Deeney and his rallying cry can prove the difference in what, already, is a massive game.

Those exploring the sub-markets will no doubt look for a goalscoring option, despite the expected tension, and the best of them is Todd Cantwell.

He's set to start and has been a persistent threat from midfield, scoring against Chelsea and City. At 4/1, the Norwich man is worth a small cover shot but this relegation litmus test can go to the visitors.

Prediction: Norwich 1-3 Watford (Sky Bet odds: 18/1)

Best bet: Watford to beat Norwich at 13/8

Goals: Todd Cantwell to score at 4/1

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