@ZAPunter provides his betting tips for the English Premier League match between West Ham and Norwich City which takes place on Saturday 31st August
WEST HAM VS NORWICH, SATURDAY @ 16.00
West Ham welcome Norwich to the London Stadium on Saturday looking for their first home win of the season, and their 3rd victory in a row in all competitions. The newly promoted Canaries have so far proved that they will be no pushovers and will be hopeful to return to winning ways this weekend. West Ham fans have high hopes for this season as the club spent 70mil Pound in the transfer window, this weekend’s fixture will be a must win for Pellegrini. After beating Watford 3-1 away from home and record signing Haller opening his account, the Hammers will be high on confidence. Norwich on the other hand will certainly feel they can cause an upset after pushing Chelsea all the way last weekend. The Pukki train is still steaming ahead with the striker scoring 5 goals in his first 3 games. This game has the looks of a high scoring encounter, with both sides boasting exciting attacking options.
WEST HAM:
After an opening day trashing at the hands of Manchester City fans were expecting another slow start to the season. Followed by a respectable draw against Brighton and victory vs Watford fans will be optimistic about their chances this weekend. West Ham set the target of finishing in the top 10 this season and games like this will be a must win. West Ham expected goals rating = goals, with xGf being 2.05 and xGa 2.60. West Ham will be hoping to keep a dangerous Norwich attack away from goal this weekend, especially in form striker Pukki.
NORWICH:
It’s been an exciting start for Norwich in the Premier League, playing football on the front foot and not backing down against the bigger clubs. Only Liverpool and Manchester City have scored more goals than the Canaries, but Farke will be hoping that he can sort out the defensive problems this weekend. Norwich staff and players will know that it’s not performances that will keep them in the league, but points. Norwich’s xGf stands at 1.25 and xGa 1.71, meaning Pukki’s clinical finishing has been keeping Norwich in games. They will be hoping Cantwell performs again and that their defence steps up against the Hammers.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS AND TEAM NEWS:
West Ham: 4-2-3-1
Fabianski,
Fredericks, Ogbonna, Diop, Masuaku,
Noble, Rice,
Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Anderson,
Haller.
*Striker Antonio suffered an injury in midweek and will be out for several months.
Norwich: 4-2-3-1
Fahrmann,
Aarons, Godfrey, Hanley, Lewis,
Leitner, Trybull,
Cantwell, Stiepermann, Buendia,
Pukki.
*Klose suffered an injury in midweek, which will rule him out for the rest of the season.
PREDICTION:
Come on you Irons! I expect West Ham to have more than enough quality to see of Norwich on Saturday. West Ham’s 4 attacking players are potentially just as potent as those of the big 6 clubs and Norwich couldn’t do anything to stop Liverpool or Chelsea. Pukki has been brilliant, but I expect regression to start kicking in and his goals to dry up. Norwich was predicted to go straight back down before the season started, but after a few matches people have changed their minds (recency bias). The Hammers at home is always tough and I expect their the experience and quality to show on the weekend.
BETTING:
BEST BET OF THE WEEKEND
West Ham – Win – 1.84 @ BetOlimp
Premier League Betting Record: 7-5 (+1.69)
Premier League Best Bet Record: 3-0 (+3.81)
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
@ZAPunter
