Arsenal v Norwich: Gunners can extend Canaries’ poor run
Published:With the significance of a third place finish never greater, current position occupants Arsenal must be fancied to beat Norwich at 1/4 on Saturday.
Their opponents are in one of the worst patches of what has been an impressive season, conceding 11 in their last three matches to see them attributed a monster 11/1 price for an Emirates victory.
The draw is a 9/2 chance meanwhile, but with Tottenham breathing down Arsenal’s necks in pursuit of that coveted third spot, punters may be deterred from investing in that outcome.
Instead, an emphatic Arsenal win may prove a popular selection, with Arsene Wenger’s charges 11/8 to win giving up a two goal handicap, a feat they accomplished on two of the last three occasions they met a bottom half side.
14th placed Norwich have succumbed to two 4-1 defeats in the last three times they have squared off with the Gunners, so braver punters could back that scoreline occurring again at an encouraging 14/1.
The home side also look good to win a game featuring three or more goals at 8/13, though the travelling Canaries will take heart from finding the net in their last four outings against Arsenal.
It finished 2-1 in Arsenal’s favour in the reverse fixture at Carrow Road earlier this season, and the 8/11 odds about both teams scoring for the fifth encounter running are appealing.
Arsenal have taken their time in hitting the front foot during games regularly this term, going into half-time level in 21 of their 36 league games, so 7/2 odds for them to turn a half-time draw into a full-time win tempt.
It is unsurprising to see 35-goal Robin Van Persie lead the first scorer betting at 2/1, though his exciting young team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could represent better value at 7/1 to break the deadlock.
