Verdict: Sergio Aguero to score 2+ goals
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
Handed the chance to send another statement to Liverpool, Manchester City will make the trip to a struggling Carrow Road on Saturday evening.
Norwich City
Starting with the hosts, while the mood in Norwich’s camp would have been on a high after running away with the Championship title last season, the Canneries are drastically struggling to adjust to life back in the top flight. Coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat away at West Ham prior to the international break, Daniel Farke’s men have lost their last three appearances on the bounce, a run that also saw them come crashing out of the League Cup at the hands of lower-league Crawley last month. Losing four of their last five across all competitions and with just one Premier League victory to their name since making their return over the summer, a huge part of Norwich’s continued issues has been down to some glaring defensive issues. Although leading marksman Teemu Pukki may already have four goals to his name and be spearheading the Yellows’ charge in the final third, Saturday’s hosts have already shipped 10 goals so far, more than any other side in the top-tier.
Team News
Norwich’s Tom Trybull is absent with an ankle injury, while Christoph Zimmerman may miss out because of a foot injury. Timm Klose and Onel Hernandez remain sidelined, while Max Aarons is doubtful after being hurt on England Under-21 duty, though his injury is not serious.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Norwich might be enduring a torrid start to the new season, Manchester City find the mood in their camp at a high. Although Liverpool do have the chance to briefly extend their buffer to five points, Pep Guardiola’s men are coming off the back of a 4-0 win over Brighton and have continued to shine in the final third. Now recording back-to-back victories since dropping points against Spurs last month, the defending champions have already recorded 14 strikes in their opening four Premier League outings. Unsurprisingly, one man to watch at Carrow Road this weekend will be the Premier League’s leading goalscorer, Sergio Aguero. Bagging another brace against Brighton last time out, the Argentinan international has found the net in each of his four appearances and already has six goals to his name. It is also worth noting that the Sky Blues have won each of their last nine top-flight matches away from the Etihad.
Team News
Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte is not expected to play again until 2020 following knee surgery. He may be replaced by the fit-again John Stones, while Gabriel Jesus has recovered from a hamstring problem.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City have scored 14 goals in their opening four Premier League matches.
- The Sky Blues have also won each of their last nine matches on the road.
- Sergio Aguero has six goals in his opening four appearances.
- Norwich have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.
- Norwich have conceded 10 goals so far, the worst record in the division.
Conclusion
On paper, Pep Guardiola should see this as a golden opportunity to once again close the gap on Liverpool. With the defending champions once again shinning in the form and led by the red-hot Sergio Aguero, Saturday could prove to be another extremely tough test for a Norwich side that is low on both form and confidence.
Verdict: Sergio Aguero to score 2+ goals
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
