Norwich v Sunderland

Both these teams enjoyed first league wins of the season last time out, but it is the Canaries who have impressed more in the season up to this point. With home advantage, and Sunderland toiling away from the Stadium of Light throughout 2011, Norwich look like a good price to win at best market odds of 6/4 with SkyBet.

It’s remarkable that Paul Lambert’s side have lost only twice considering the handicaps they have endured on a weekly basis. In the 2-1 win at Bolton they equalled a Premier League record by conceding a penalty for the fifth consecutive game. That’s every match this season. Throw in a couple of sendings off against Stoke and Chelsea and you realise that the Canaries have been up against it more often than not. It has to be assumed that such a wretched run of misfortune/ill-discipline simply can’t go on forever and sooner or later Norwich will reap the benefits.

Sunderland were desperately struggling for goals and points before they shocked Stoke with a 4-0 victory last weekend. I’m going to go out on a limb and put that down as a freak result; it was more a consequence of the Potters having a nightmare than the Black Cats dazzling. The first three goals - that decided the match - were a result of a mis-hit corner, an own goal and a deflection.

If we look at the rest of the campaign, Steve Bruce’s side have under-achieved. Four games without a win and two goals in that period is relegation form. There have only been two away wins since January; both came in May against Bolton and West Ham who were massively dispirited at the time.

That will certainly not be the case for the hosts at Carrow Road where there is still great excitement just at being back in the top flight, and now off the back of three points. Back Norwich to surge into the top half of the table with a win at alluring odds of 6/4 with SkyBet. Just click on the link, sign up, and claim your free bet.