Prediction and odds for the game: Norwich (21/10) v Southampton (5/4)
We are backing the draw at odds of 5/2
When: Friday, 19th June 2020, Kick-off 18:00
Where: Carrow Road
On Friday evening, Norwich host Southampton at Carrow Road, in a game that could prove crucial in the fight for Premier League survival.
Norwich
The Canaries have endured a difficult return to the English top-flight and are currently bottom of the table. However, despite their lowly position, Daniel Farke’s team are still just six points from the safety of 17th place in a tight survival battle.
The team from Norfolk have recorded just one win in their last six league outings, suffering four defeats in the process. A 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United last time out means that Norwich have scored just once in their last five league matches.
A lack of goals seems to have been a theme with the Canaries this season, as they are the joint-lowest scorers in the top-flight, alongside Newcastle. Their top scorer Teemu Pukki has scored 11 times in 25 league appearances, which is a decent return, but the rest of the team have failed to contribute. The only other Norwich player to score more than once this season in the top-flight is midfielder Todd Cantwell, who has scored six times for the home team.
Southampton
The Saints are seven points clear of the relegation zone, despite some poor form of late. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team look safe, but they will want to secure their top-flight status as soon as they can. A victory in this clash would certainly put the visitors within touching distance of securing top-flight.
As previously mentioned, the Saints league form has taken a dip of late, as they have suffered defeat in four of their last five matches. Last time out, they suffered an underwhelming 1-0 home defeat against Newcastle.
Southampton have a mixed recent record on their travels of late. The team from the south coast have lost their last two away games in the Premier League at Liverpool and West Ham. However, they had won their previous four league games on the road in the top-flight.
Their recent away matches have been entertaining, high-scoring affairs, with over 2.5 goals scored in seven of their last nine matches on the road. There have also been more than two goals scored in ten of their last 11 away games in the top-flight. The Saints have kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 league games on their travels.
Conclusion
This match pits two out of form teams against each other. How the break will affect both teams is unclear. With that in mind, we are going to back the draw, as these early games are just so unpredictable. We are also backing under 2.5 goals, as Norwich are poor in front of goal, although the Saints have looked dangerous in attack, they may not be as sharp due to the break.
Verdict: We are backing the draw at odds of 5/2 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at evens. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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