After a vital win at the weekend, the Canaries travel to Merseyside, with our tipster backing plenty of first half goals

Liverpool welcome Norwich City to Anfield this week with both sides having little time to reflect on contrasting weekends.

Chris Hughton’s side beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at home, which has seen them move away from the drop zone, with Liverpool being beaten 3-1 away from home at Hull City.

Brendan Rodgers’ men had a chance to keep the pressure on Arsenal in top spot at the weekend, but a second loss in four matches now means they trail the Gunners by seven points. Paddy Power price them at just 2/7 (1.29) to get back on track this week.

Norwich have struggled on the road this season in the league, winning once and losing five of their six games so far.

Paddy Power don’t give them much hope this week though, pricing them at 10/1 (11.00) to record back-to-back wins. The same firm has the draw at 9/2 (5.50).

With Liverpool far too short to back, it would only be worth backing them in the handicap market. However, despite their last three home matches paying out in the -1 handicap market, the 8/11 (1.73) price is a little skinny.

Instead, it’s worth looking at early goals in this fixture. Liverpool to score within 20 minutes is a tempting 9/5 (2.80), but a bet that stands out is over 1.5 goals in the first half, at a hugely generous 11/10 (2.10) .

This bet would have landed in seven of Liverpool’s last eight matches, as well as both of Norwich’s last two away games and looks a more sensible option at odds-against than some of the other options available.

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