Sidemarket Special: City to bounce back with rout of Norwich

Man City Total Goals - Back 4 or more @ 3.814/5

In his weekly column Jaymes Monte picks out the best bets from the side markets of this weekend's Premier League matches...

Liverpool v Arsenal - Arsenal to win to nil - Back Yes @ 8.07/1
This bet stems largely from my belief that Arsenal are completely overpriced in the Match Odds market at 3.613/5. Therefore the knock-on effect is that the Gunners are over priced in many of the sidemarkets.

Perhaps there is a case for Liverpool to be made slight favourites given that they are on home turf, but we shouldn't forget that Arsenal are the league leaders and are in a rich vein of form themselves - eight wins and two draws from their last 10. In my opinion there should be much greater parity in the betting.

Liverpool have yet to earn a single point this season from games against their fellow top-four inhabitants, with Arsenal comfortable 2-0 winners in the meeting at the Emirates.

No Premier League goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets (11) than Wojciech Szczesny this season and that 8.07/1 about the Gunners winning here without conceding looks solid value.

C Palace v West Brom - C Palace Clean Sheet? - Back Yes @ 3.02/1
The difference that Tony Pulis has made since being introduced as manager of Crystal Palace cannot be understated. Seemingly down and out at the bottom of the Premier League table, the Eagles now look as though they may survive with a bit in hand. And that's largely down to a new defensive rigidity.

Every one of Palace's six wins under the former Stoke boss have come without conceding a goal. Including a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the Hawthorns.

Furthermore, the Baggies look bereft of attacking quality and extremely short on confidence at present. Julian Speroni has kept five clean sheets in his last seven league games at Selhurst Park and odds of 3.02/1 on that tally improving is a bet worth siding with.

Norwich v Man City - Man City Total Goals - Back four or more @ 3.814/5
I fear for Norwich this weekend, I really do. Not just because Manchester City have scored 24 goals in their last five games against the Canaries, but because that could be compounded even further by the Citizens looking for a reaction to Monday night's loss to Chelsea.

Manuel Pellegrini and his players will know that they need to reassert themselves by showing that Monday's performance was a one-off, that they are still the team that everyone should fear and that they deserve to be the title favourites. And the best, and quickest way of doing that would be with an emphatic win over Chris Hughton's struggling Norwich side this weekend.

If you'd backed City to score four or more goals in each of their last five games against Norwich then you'd have been paid out at handsome odds on four occasions. Take the attractive 3.814/5 on that becoming five out of six this weekend.

Wagered: 73 pts
Returned: 55.6 pts
P/L - 17.4 pts (after commission)

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Premier League Results: Norwich victory stuns Tottenham

Premier League / Mike Norman / 09 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Anthony Pilkington celebrates his goal against Tottenham

"Alan Pardew’s men recorded their fifth successive victory in the Premier League thanks to a wonderful solo effort from Hatem Ben Arfa and another strike from ‘bargain’ buy Papiss Cisse."

Norwich stun Tottenham, Newcastle record a fifth successive win, and Everton thrash Sunderland on an afternoon of Premier League action.

Tottenham remain in the final Champions League qualifying slot, but only just after they surprisingly lost at home to Norwich this afternoon.

Spurs were available to back at just [1.32] prior to kick-off but found themselves behind inside 15 minutes after Anthony Pilkington put the Canaries in front. Jermain Defoe equalised shortly before half time but the expected dominance never came, in fact it was Norwich who deservedly grabbed the winner in the second half through Elliott Bennett.

Norwich were matched at [14.0] to win the game, whilst the 1-2 Correct Score was backed at [50.0] In-Play.

The reason Spurs cling narrowly onto fourth place in the table is because of Newcastle's 2-0 victory over Bolton at the Sports Direct Arena. Alan Pardew's men recorded their fifth successive victory in the Premier League thanks to a wonderful solo effort from Hatem Ben Arfa and another strike from 'bargain' buy Papiss Cisse.

The Magpies are level on points with Tottenham having played 33 games apiece but stay in fifth place because of a worse goal difference. The 2-0 Correct Score was backed at a high of [18.5], with a home victory touching [3.35] In-Play.

In the Top Four Finish market Newcastle can now be backed at [4.6] having been matched at a massive [100.0] at the start of the season. Tottenham are available to back at [1.7] with Chelsea - who face Fulham this evening - at [2.64]

In the afternoon's other game, Everton thrashed Sunderland 4-0 to confirm their recent dominance over the Black Cats. This is the 18th game in a row that the Toffees have failed to lose to Sunderland, recording 13 wins in that time. A win for David Moyes' men was backed at [2.4] with an Everton Win to Nil matched at a top price of [3.4].

Two teams who have seriously under-achieved this campaign meet on Tueday night and it's hard to pick a winner. The draw is over-priced anyway so it makes sense to think a share of the spoils is on the cards, says...

After Mario Balotelli's red card yesterday, and Wayne Rooney's extended run without a yellow card, Ralph Ellis makes a case for discipline being a vital factor in this season's title race....

Followers of Lee Dixon's column would have enjoyed a great day if backing all his selections on Easter Sunday. Mike Norman explains......

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Opta Big Match Stats: Norwich to fall short against Man United

Opta / Michael Lintorn / 25 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Javier Hernandez is pushing for a starting spot after scoring four in four

"Manchester United have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season (12) while only Blackburn (0) have kept fewer than Norwich (2)."

Manchester United struggled against Ajax on Thursday but, after consulting the Opta stats, Michael Lintorn expects them to perform much better at Norwich on Sunday...

Manchester United have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season (12) while only Blackburn (0) have kept fewer than Norwich (2)
Half of those Red Devils clean sheets have come on the road too, with eight of their last 14 hosts in all competitions failing to find a way past David de Gea and co. Given that the champions shut out the Canaries in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford and did the same when they visited fellow Premier League newcomers Swansea and QPR, odds of [2.52] on them not conceding look very appealing.

The last four games in all competitions between Norwich and Man United at Carrow Road have ended with a 2-0 scoreline, as did the meeting earlier this season at Old Trafford
On three of the aforementioned four occasions, this outcome occurred in Sir Alex Ferguson's side's favour, so given the statistics indicating that they will keep a clean sheet, they are the obvious team of the two to keep the trend alive. 2-0 was also the result in their last away match against Ajax in the Europa League, while it was also the margin that they defeated QPR by at Loftus Road in December.

Five of Javier Hernandez's eight Premier League goals this season have been the opening goal of the game
Hernandez has made a firm case for being recalled to Manchester United's Premier League starting line up by firing in his last four appearances, with his strikes in both legs against Ajax prolonging their Europa League participation. The prolific Mexican has scored 21 goals in 27 top-flight starts in England and three of his five deadlock-breakers this term came away (Bolton, Everton, Swansea).

Recommended Bets:
Manchester United to keep a clean sheet @ [2.52]
Manchester United to win 2-0 @ [9.4]
Hernandez to score first @ [6.1]

Click here to read even more from Opta about this encounter

Michael Lintorn has examined the Opta stats and picked out four of his favourites to help determine some bets worth pursuing in the Premier League this weekend......

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Opta offer practically every insight you could possibly require about Sunday's Carling Cup Final between Cardiff and Liverpool......

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Opta Stats: Norwich v Manchester United

Opta / Michael Lintorn / 23 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Grant Holt has been an even more prolific fouler than scorer this season

Norwich's recent home form ensures that this should prove a difficult test for Premier League title hopefuls Manchester United...

The last four games in all competitions between Norwich and Man United at Carrow Road have ended with a 2-0 scoreline, as did the meeting earlier this season at Old Trafford.

After not keeping a clean sheet all season, the Canaries have kept shut outs in their last two home games.

Norwich have lost just one of their last six home games in the Premier League (W3 D2 L1).

Manchester United have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League away games (W8 D4 L1).

Only Norwich City have scored more headed goals (14) than Manchester United (11) this season.

Five of Javier Hernandez's eight Premier League goals this season have been the opening goal of the game.

Manchester United have posted the best shooting accuracy figures in the Premier League this season (53%) and best conversion rate (20%).

The Red Devils have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season (12) while only Blackburn (0) have kept fewer than Norwich (2).

Grant Holt has committed more fouls than any other player so far this season (60).

Norwich have scored more goals from crosses than any other Premier League side (20).

Opta offer practically every insight you could possibly require about Sunday's Carling Cup Final between Cardiff and Liverpool......

Swansea will be hoping to take advantage of a Stoke side whose recent cup exploits have had a negative impact on their Premier League form......

Tottenham's north London derby record has improved massively of late, and with Arsenal struggling in big games this season, that trend could continue......

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Opta Stats: Norwich v Bolton

Opta / Michael Lintorn / 02 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Bolton's recent form suggests that relegation worries will be shortlived

Bolton's away record suggests that there must be a winner in this encounter, but who? Use the Opta stats to help make your judgement...

Bolton have drawn none of their last 16 Premier League away matches (W4 L12).

The Trotters have kept just one clean sheet in their last 37 Premier League away games.

Norwich have lost just one of their last five home games (W2 D2 L1) but won none of the last three.

Six of the last seven league meetings between Norwich and Bolton have been won by a single goal margin.

Bolton have failed to score in three of their last five Premier League away games.

Norwich have scored a league-high proportion of headed goals in the Premier League (41%).

The Canaries have mustered a league-high 28 headers on target this season.

Owen Coyle's side have fired in the highest percentage of shots on target in the top flight (53%).

Bolton have made more interceptions than any other Premier League side this season (448).

Norwich have kept just one clean sheet in their last 24 Premier League matches.

Liverpool have hit form recently and are even able to welcome Luis Suarez back on Monday night - will they halt Tottenham's title bid?...

Chelsea's home record hasn't been great this season, however after tripping up leaders Manchester City in December, they will be hopeful of causing Manchester United trouble......

Aston Villa were humiliated on their last visit to Tyneside, but will have an opportunity to claim revenge in front of the cameras on Sunday lunchtime......

Fulham have been a bit of a bogey team for Manchester City in recent seasons - will they be the ones to end the Premier League leaders' perfect home record?...

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