ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PREVIEW - NORWICH CITY VS LEEDS UNITED

English Premier

2021-10-31 - Norwich City vs Leeds United

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Norwich City v Leeds United
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 31st October 2021 - Kick Off 2pm
This game is live on TV

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Norwich City

You do have to feel for Norwich City fans after watching their team crushed at the hands of Chelsea last weekend, especially as you can't really understand what the club hope to achieve this season. Daniel Farke has really done as well as he can with the constraints the club place on him, even after promotion, and it would be a massive achievement if the German manager can keep Norwich City in the Premier League.

They are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and Norwich City are 5 points from safety already, while they are struggling at both ends of the field which makes it difficult to know how they can survive at this level. The Canaries have a 0-1-3 record at Carrow Road in the Premier League and they have scored 2 goals and conceded 8 in those fixtures.

Norwich City had earned back to back goalless draws with Burnley and Brighton either side of the October international break, but it all came crashing down in the 7-0 loss at Stamford Bridge. That means Norwich City have scored a single goal in 7 matches in all competitions since the September international break. The side had lost 3 in a row at Carrow Road in all competitions before the draw with Brighton.

Ben Gibson was sent off last weekend and he will serve a suspension, while Todd Cantwell is still working his way back to fitness and may not be involved.

Leeds United

It would be a huge surprise if Leeds United were to panic and Sack Marcelo Bielsa despite the really difficult start to the season that has shown little sign of ending. During the week, a strong Leeds United team were beaten 2-0 at Arsenal in the League Cup Fourth Round and injuries have meant there is little the manager can do but urge his players to fight through what has been an incredibly sticky patch.

Last weekend they needed an injury time equaliser to secure a point with Wolves, but that result leaves Leeds United in 17th place in the Premier League table. They have earned 7 points from their opening eight Premier League games, and Leeds United have a 0-2-2 record away from home where they have scored 3 goals and conceded 8.

Leeds United have not scored more than a single goal in any of their last 9 games in all competitions and it unsurprising that they have only won once in that run. They have failed to win any of their last 6 away games in all competitions in normal time and Leeds United have failed to score in any of their last 3 on their travels.

Junior Firpo, Jamie Shackleton and Raphinha are all doubts for this fixture, but they will be given as much time as they need to be passed fit. Patrick Bamford remains an absentee, along with Luke Ayling and Robin Koch.

Head to Head

This will be the first meeting between Norwich City and Leeds United since the 2018/19 Championship season when both were able to beat the other away from home.

Norwich City have won 1 of their last 5 at Carrow Road against Leeds United and it is the visitors who have secured maximum points in 2 of the last 3 between the clubs here.

Prediction

Games against the top clubs are not going to determine Norwich City's future in the Premier League this season, but that should not see anyone ignore the capitulation they had at Stamford Bridge last Saturday. Losing at Chelsea is going to be an experience for many clubs this season, but losing 7-0 just puts Norwich City under the spotlight a little more as they continue to be questioned about their suitability to play at this level.

The club is pretty well run which means they have proven to be too good for the Championship, but Norwich City have not really been competitive in their last couple of seasons in the Premier League. This looks like another season in which they will be relegation without much of a fight and it is up to Daniel Farke and his players to disprove that feeling.

Norwich City have not been that good defensively and that only highlights their struggles at the other end of the field. You are not going to win matches without scoring goals and Norwich City have managed a single strike in 7 games in all competitions.

However, they will be encouraged by back to back clean sheets before the hammering at Chelsea and it is something Norwich City can build on. They did create some decent chances against Brighton, but there is a pressure on the forward players to produce the goods knowing how hard it is for Norwich City to score goals.

They could be playing Leeds United at a good time though and that is because Marcelo Bielsa's team have been struggling for goals too. Leeds United were known for their attacking intent in the Premier League last season, but they have not scored more than a single goal in any of their last 9 in all competitions, while Leeds United have not scored a single goal in 3 away games.

Patrick Bamford's absence has been a blow, but Raphinha has been struggling for fitness too and the Brazilian will be a big miss if he cannot take part this weekend. It will certainly offer Norwich City a chance to earn their first win of the season considering Leeds United have not had an away clean sheet in the Premier League in the 2021/22 campaign, and I do think the visitors are plenty short to win here.

I won't deny that I feel Norwich City are the worst team in the Premier League this season, but they have created chances in home games and a single strike may be enough to secure a point. The clean sheets against Burnley and Brighton before the thumping at Chelsea are encouraging and Leeds United may be vulnerable if their key attacking players are absent in the first of two live Sunday games.

Leeds United are a shorter price than Brighton were to win here earlier this month and there is nothing in the performances of the former to suggest that should be the case. The lack of goals gives Norwich City every chance to earn a positive result and I think they can be backed on the handicap to do that.

The Pick :

Norwich City 1-1 Leeds United

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Norwich City + 0.5 Asian Handicap at 1.76 with BetVictor