Tottenham v Norwich: Mourinho's side to maintain FA Cup hopes

Tottenham host Norwich in the FA Cup fifth round and Simon Mail expects Jose Mourinho's side to progress to the quarter-finals...

Tottenham v Norwich
Wednesday, 19:45
Live on BBC One

Mourinho needs to lift Tottenham after setbacks

Tottenham are reaching a potentially decisive stage of their season and Jose Mourinho is under scrutiny to improve their results after a poor fortnight domestically and in Europe. Their 1-0 home defeat to RB Leipzig has left their Champions League hopes dwindling while defeat at Chelsea and a 3-2 loss at home to Wolves on Sunday have damaged their chances of qualifying for the competition via the Premier League.

Injuries have hit Tottenham hard at the wrong time with Harry Kane's lengthy absence alongside Heung-Min Son's fractured arm crippling their front line. Mourinho has to come up with an alternative attacking gameplan and new signing Steven Bergwijn, who scored against Wolves, has a significant role to play. Spurs reached the fifth round of the FA Cup after replay victories at home to Middlesbrough and Southampton.

Norwich chasing survival alongside cup run

Norwich remain bottom of the Premier League but Daniel Farke's side gave themselves a much-needed boost after defeating Leicester 1-0 on Friday night. Jamal Lewis' second-half winner leaves the Canaries six points from safety with ten matches remaining. Their focus is fixed on pulling off a great escape but Norwich switch their attention to the FA Cup this week.

Norwich clinched a 4-2 victory at Championship side Preston in the third round of the competition with teenage striker Adam Idah netting a hat-trick. In the fourth round of the FA Cup, Norwich pulled off a 2-1 win at Premier League side Burnley. Second-half goals from Grant Hanley and Josip Drmic sent the Canaries into a last-16 tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham short-priced for victory

Tottenham are 1.65 to overcome Norwich in 90 minutes and reach the last-eight. Spurs defeated Norwich in their last meeting in January and are rightly favourites for this game. That said, their current form is hardly convincing off the back of three successive defeats and their price looks short enough in this market.

Norwich are 5.30 to defeat their opponents and this price has understandably been nibbled at in recent days. Farke's side are bound to be lifted by their shock victory against Leicester and have already claimed a win at Burnley in this competition. A back to lay strategy is tempting and it would not be a surprise if the visitors give Tottenham a scare in this tie.

The draw is trading at 4.20 and this also certainly cannot be dismissed. Norwich drew 2-2 at home to their opponents back in December and the Canaries are capable of holding their own against them. However Spurs have not drawn a match in their last six games and both teams will be keen to avoid extra time and penalties in their midweek clash.

Goals likely in FA Cup clash

The hosts could have the edge in this tie but backing them to concede in a home victory appeals. Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games and failed to shut out Norwich in their 2-1 win at the start of this year.

Tottenham's defensive frailties suggest this game could be high scoring and the side have conceded in all four FA Cup matches this season. The hosts should advance to the quarter-finals but Norwich can test them by getting on the scoresheet. Backing them to win and Both Teams To Score is 2.96.