Soccer tips: Norwich vs Man Utd - Expect Cristiano Ronaldo to cause havoc
- Joe Hewlett
- 11 December 2021
Manchester United are aiming to make it two wins from two under interim manager Ralf Rangnick at Carrow Road.
The German coach started his tenure with a 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace and followed it up with a point against Young Boys in Europe.
It ensured Manchester United finished top of Group A in the Champions League and, on paper, set them up for a favourable draw going into the last 16.
That's until you look more closely at the paper and see Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan as potential knockout opponents.
Meanwhile, Norwich have entered into a brave new world themselves - replacing Daniel Farke with Dean Smith in their battle to avoid relegation. The Canaries - who sit bottom of the league - had an initial bounce under Smith claiming four points from his first two games.
However, they have claimed just one point from their most recent two fixtures, with the last being a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Where, where and how to watch
When: Saturday, December 11, 17.30 GMT
Where: Carrow Road
How to watch: Sky Sports
Best bets for Norwich vs Manchester United
Two teams in need of a win meet as strugglers Norwich City entertain Manchester United. The home side are just three points adrift of safety heading into the weekend thanks to that early Smith bounce.
Daniel Farke's final game as Norwich manager ended in victory over Southampton before Smith took over and gained another win against Brentford.
Two draws followed before being outclassed by Tottenham. Nevertheless, eight points from their last five games is form worthy of survival.
Billy Gilmour has been started all four games under Smith. And while it may be no coincidence that results have started to pick up since the return of the Scottish international, his aggressive style of play has also seen him receive two yellow cards.
In eight appearances in the league this season, Gilmour has made 15 tackles with a 73% success rate, committing nine fouls in the process. For Gilmour to be carded, Planet Sport Bet has him at odds of 12/5.
Last three meetings
Norwich 1-2 Manchester United (FA Cup, June 27, 2020)
Harry Maguire was the hero for Manchester United as they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
However, Maguire reacted from a rebound in the 118th minute to send Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's side through to the last four.
Manchester United 4-0 Norwich (Premier League, January 11, 2020)
Marcus Rashford scored twice - one from the penalty spot - before Anthony Martial added a third. Substitute Mason Greenwood added to Norwich's woes to complete a perfect day for United.
Norwich 1-3 Manchester United (Premier League, October 27, 2019)
Scott McTominay scored the opening goal and Marcus Rashford made it 2-0 by half-time. French ace Anthony Martial made up for his penalty miss by scoring the third goal of the game.
Last 10 head-to-heads
Norwich wins: 2
Draws: 0
Manchester United wins: 8
Norwich goals: 5
Manchester United goals: 24
Cristiano Ronaldo to run rampant?
Much has been made about the role of Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting XI for Manchester United. While there is a case to be made about him slowing down the team, nobody can question Ronaldo still being able to score goals at crucial moments.
Ronaldo is expected to start against Norwich - a side he is yet to score against although he has only played the Canaries on two occasions in 2004/05 as a teenager. The 36-year-old has six goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season alongside an additional six in the Champions League.
He will fancy his chances of adding to the tally when his side take on Norwich - a team that has shipped in 31 goals, the most in the league. Norwich are also a team that Manchester United enjoy playing against, having scored four goals in three of their last 10 meetings.
Goalscorer bets for Norwich vs Manchester United
Manchester United have have shipped in goals for fun this season. Raphael Varane has been beset by injuries, while English trio Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bisakka have failed to match their standards of 2020/21.
The man most likely to take advantage is Teemu Pukki. The Finnish international has five goals from 14 appearances, over 62% of Norwich's total goals output.
With only eight goals scored by Norwich in total this season, Pukki's contribution in front of goal is vital and he can be backed at 13/2 to score first.
