Crystal Palace v Norwich Tip

Crystal Palace fans will have taken nothing but encouragement from their side’s spirited trip to the Etihad on Saturday. The Eagles were unlucky to lose 1-0; the fact that Joe Hart was named man of the match tells you all you need to know. Even so, the Londoners remain out of the bottom three courtesy of a 1-0 win at Villa Park on Boxing Day and other results going their way.

Norwich City are now one of the many sides looking over their shoulder at the season’s half-way point and a loss for the Canaries at Selhurst Park would see Palace leapfrog their opponents. Chris Hughton will be acutely aware that supporters are growing restless and his decision to substitute top scorer Gary Hooper at the weekend drew further criticism.

With City on a winless run of three matches, it’s no real surprise to see Palace at nothing longer than 11/8 (Boylesports) to make it three home victories out of a possible four on New Year’s Day.

However, we can surely improve our value by backing Tony Pulis’s men to win to nil at best odds of 29/10 with Ladbrokes. All four Palace wins since November have been accompanied by a clean sheet. It’s the only way this resurgent team knows.