Norwich vs Manchester City: Hosts will play without fear against the champions

Norwich have found the net against Liverpool and Chelsea this season but whether they can halt the Manchester City juggernaut is a different story altogether when they welcome the Champions to Carrow Road on Saturday evening.

Okay, it was a consolation goal in a 4-1 drubbing in the opening game at Anfield, while everyone seems to be able to score against Chelsea this season.

But what it does show is that the Canaries are not afraid to have a go when they face the so-called bigger sides and that surely won’t change this weekend.

For all their efforts Daniel Farker’s men find themselves second from bottom in the Premier League table with three points having picked-up a win against Newcastle and they will be keen to avoid losing ground on those fellow strugglers who are already above them in the league.

Despite creating some good opportunities against Liverpool last month and sharing five goals with Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, Norwich’s last fixture before the international break was a somewhat more disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham – not the ideal preparation for the visit of a team who are looking to win their third title on the spin.

Their cause hasn’t been helped by a recent string of injuries with defender Timm Klose and midfielder Tom Trybull among those side-lined while Max Aarons a doubt after hobbling off on England Under-21 duty on Monday night.

Though it’s worth noting that Norwich have been resilient under Daniel Farke and have only lost four consecutive games in all competitions under the German once previously which was back in November 2017.

NORWICH vs MANCHESTER CITY OVER 3.5 GOALS AT 6.45*

The last time these two met in the Premier League at Carrow Road it was a 0-0 draw, just one of two clean sheets Norwich have kept against Manchester City in 16 league meetings since 1992.

So any optimistic Canaries fans who see their team winning this in thrilling style, Norwich to win and BTTS is a mouthwatering 24.00.*

The only disappointment so far this campaign for Pep Guardiola’s men was a 2-2 home draw with Spurs in a game they really should have won with what appeared to be a late winner in added time being chalked off by VAR.

Other than that, it’s been pretty plain sailing for the Blues West Ham 5-0 and Bournemouth 3-1 on the road, whilst they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Brighton at the Etihad last time out, so finding the net certainly doesn’t seem to be a problem.

Sergio Aguero has scored in Man City’s four Premier League matches to date with only two players scoring in a club’s first five matches of a season – José Antonio Reyes for Arsenal in 2004 and Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in 2011 – with the striker 1.57* to score anytime and equal that record on Saturday.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring after just 68 seconds against Albion, before Sergio Aguero hit a double and Bernardo Silva also netted with Guardiola saying: “My players up front are incredibly good and they make the difference.”

One concern for the Spaniard, however, might just be at the back with Aymeric Laporte’s injury coming after the summer departure of Vincent Kompany.

News which could just offer a window of hope to Norwich who will be looking to take advantage of what’s sure to be a bouncing Carrow Road – probably why a Manchester City win & BTTS is 2.00.*

The hosts have not beaten Manchester City since 2013 and that came at the Etihad with the Canaries last home win against City dating back to 2002 and with only two victories in 16 Premier League meetings, it’s clear to see why they can be backed at 18.50* to take all three points here.