What a festival of football we have this weekend! Everton vs Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, Chelsea host Man Utd in a massive game at the top of the table, and the big one, Arsenal vs QPR. And what better way to kick off this Jamboree of footballing excellence? Aston Villa vs Norwich of course!

Villa are favourites at 66/67 with Pinnacle (why not just make it evens?!) whereas Norwich can be backed at 49/16 with the same bookmaker (it’s 3/1, they’re just being awkward…) The draw is 11/4 with Stan James, whom I could kiss, as I’m going to predict the draw, and if I had to use Pinnacles odds of 77/29 I’d have to retire due to shame and anger.

There is of course a bit of spice and back story to this game, as Paul Lambert, fresh from guiding Norwich to mid-table mediocrity (don’t knock it, I’d give practically *anything* for mid-table mediocrity right about now…) jumped ship to an Aston Villa side that were punching a good 8 places below their actual weight, almost entirely down to the fact that Alex ‘McRelegator’ Mcleish was at the helm. Both of these teams are in woeful league form, with a single win each in the league (and Norwich didn’t really beat Arsenal, they were just witnesses on hand as Arsenal stunk the place out to high-heaven…)

So, two teams who struggle to keep a clean sheet, don’t score many goals, concede goals like they’re going out of fashion and struggle to win games. Shall we just call it 1-1, put a bow on it and move on to the more interesting games this weekend? In terms of who’s going to score the goals, there are two standout candidates, one for each team – Bent and Holt. Despite the persistent rumours that Lambert has fallen out with Bent, Bent has still featured in all of Villa’s Premier League games this season, and practically guarantees you 15 goals a season minimum. Holt has scored three in his last three games, and in fact Norwich’s last three goals.

Dipping into my crystal ball, I see Norwich taking an early lead through Grant Holt. Probably the 12th minute. Norwich will go onto half time winning 1-0. In the second half, Bent will replace Benteke in the 62nd minute, and score a five yard far post tap in from right wing cross in the 78thminute. It’ll finish 1-1, and will end up as the second to last match on Match of the Day, saved from the ignominy of being last by the haunting spectre of mediocrity that is Reading vs Fulham.

Aston Villa vs Norwich Free Betting Tips

Match Drawn @ 11/4 (Stan James)

Correct Score 1-1 @ 13/2 (Ladbrokes)

First Goalscorer – Holt @ 7/1 (Stan James)

Last Goalscorer – Bent @ 5/1 (Bet365)