Canaries contest Liverpool while Hammers host Man City

Lee Gormley | January 22, 2016

Norwich City v Liverpool

Canaries clash with Reds in early kick-off

Alex Neil’s Norwich City will welcome Liverpool to Carrow Road for Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off, as the Reds look to continue a fixture dominance which has seen them go unbeaten since April 1994.

The Canaries have been busy in the January transfer market, snapping up plenty of reinforcements, including defender Timm Klose from Wolfsburg, and the hosts are 14/5 with Coral to earn their first Reds victory in 12 previous meetings stretching back 22 years.

There are positives for Norwich as Klopp’s travelling Merseysiders arrive on the back of three consecutive league games without a win, losing to both West Ham United and Manchester United, though they bounced back with a 3-0 FA Cup triumph over Exeter City most recently.

Klopp opting for experienced heads on road

Having seen his Reds youngsters run riot against League Two opposition Exeter last time out, German coach Klopp has admitted he will look to more experienced members of his squad in order to gain a much-needed result over Norwich.

“We need to keep them [the young players] here and then work with them. Football isn’t just about individual development,” stated Klopp.

“Yes, you have to develop individually but you have to develop as a team, you have to learn your position and you have to show you can work together with the team.

“You have to show you know about your job and the things you have to do. We will keep them here, work with them and I am sure the way [to regular football] will be shorter for them – but that’s for the future, not now.”

Those experienced stars should include Christian Benteke, who is 9/2 to open proceedings, as well as James Milner and Jordan Henderson, with the midfield duo 10/3 and 9/4 to strike anytime respectively.

Norwich target further impressive run

The Canaries, meanwhile, have managed some big results so far this season, including draws with Arsenal and Everton, and they possess plenty of talent to cause an upset.

Matt Jarvis recently made his initial loan spell permanent and is 7/1 to strike anytime, while Steven Naismith is in line for his debut after switching from Everton. Cameron Jerome has been the key threat this term and he is 2/1 to get on the scoresheet again.

West Ham United v Manchester City

Hammers hoping to upset City on home soil

In Saturday’s evening Premier League kick-off, Slaven Bilic’s West Ham host title-hopefuls Manchester City at Upton Park hoping to stifle the visitors again, having won two of the last three domestic match-ups.

Earlier this season, West Ham rallied to an impressive 2-1 victory over Manuel Pellegrini’s Sky Blues on their travels to Manchester, with the hosts now 15/4 to complete a league double over their opponents for the first time since the 1962/63 campaign.

Although, City recently thrashed a helpless Crystal Palace 4-0 and have been in blistering attacking form, with Pellegrini’s Citizens 5/2 to secure victory with both teams scoring and a £20 max stake.

Bilic prepared for City battle

Having already enjoyed success in this fixture earlier in the campaign, Bilic was in a bullish mood ahead of the reverse clash, in which he believes his side are in an ever better position to prevail.

“Apart from [Andy] Carroll, [Manuel] Lanzini and [Diafro] Sakho we are healthy, so we are in a good position for a crucial part of the season,” outlined Croatian coach Bilic.

“We have beaten them already this season, I think they are better now, but we are confident and know what we can achieve.”

Goals expected from astute attacking ranks

Dimitri Payet will be the main man for the hosts once again after his return from injury, and the French playmaker is 4/1 to net anytime (£20 max stake), while goal threat Enner Valencia is 2/1 to get on the scoresheet.

For the visitors, clinical Argentine Sergio Aguero is 9/2 to bag a brace or more (£20 max) after a recent rampant run, while Kevin De Bruyne is 7/4 to dispatch anytime, having done so in the reverse fixture.

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Coral’s top tip: Back Sergio Aguero to score two or more at 9/2 with a £20 max stake.