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With the title race a slow finish until May with only one winner likely, it’s time to focus on the dropzone.
While Watford’s run of form has been absolutely abysmal since sending Ole packing before Christmas, it’s worth taking a moment to realise that, despite being written off before they could pack away the launch campaign for the season, Norwich are right back in it.
Watford v Norwich – Friday, January 21: 8pm
Sky Sports Football
Norwich recorded their first win since beating Southampton back in November last weekend, which coincided with their only other victory at that point the week before against Brentford. Since then, they’ve lost six on the bounce. While that sounds bad in isolation, it’s worth noting that they were beaten by Spurs, Man United, a revitalized Villa, Arsenal and West Ham in that run.
They know bigger games lie ahead and none moreso than this. Both of these need a leap pad in a big way – and given the amount of energy being given to this particular game, a win here would give both the points and the psychological edge to the victors.
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Norwich and the Draw
Right now, one of these sides feels like they’ve turned a corner simply because they’ve shaken up the way they play.
Norwich’s win last week felt like something earned because they’ve altered their approach, maybe realising that actually they need to be more on the front foot to claim results because defensive structure isn’t their strong point.
They’re a rarely-built bad team in that they have attacking prowess and talented players in the top end of the pitch, but rarely get to use them as they concede so much possession. I fancy them here (well, not to lose, at least).
Over 2.5 Goals
And both of these sides understand that their ability to take a point here and a point there is non-existent at the moment, doubling the importance of this particular tussle.
It’s almost impossible to see both of these teams staying up logistically if they don’t take points off each other, let alone accommodating the lack of a morale boost that would otherwise come from a win.
You’d fancy Newcastle to claw out results over the next while given the influx of talent they’re due – and Burnley will always pick up points because of the culture of the dressing room. No half measures here.
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Adam Idah to Score Anytime
And that change I’m speaking about is the dynamism that Idah brings to them. Not many relegation fodder sides have a finisher like Teemu Pukki, but they can rarely get the ball to him in a hurry. Norwich require a more physical specimen to run channels and hold the ball up.
Idah is exactly that and his inclusion last week, when he scored the winner, is a sign of what’s to come.
Emmanuel Dennis to Have 2 or More Shots on Target
It’s always a safe bet with this fella, particularly as he’ll now be pining for a move to Newcastle by the end of the next week.
He’s their only real outlet and more importantly, he knows it. Norwich tend to defend slightly higher than most bad teams, giving him plenty of opportunities to get quality efforts on goal.
Watford v Norwich Bet Builder tips
Norwich and the Draw
Over 2.5 Goals
Adam Idah to Score Anytime
Emmanuel Dennis to Have 2 or More Shots on Target
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