During this soccer season, Doc’s Sports Service has teamed up with Strike Point Sports and Raphael Esparza (Vegas Sports Informer), two of the top soccer handicappers, to provide weekly free soccer picks for English Premier League, MLS and Champions League matches. Check back each week for a new free pick. This week, the Esparza has a free pick on a side in the Norwich City/Liverpool match.

Things have gone from bad to worse for Liverpool in the last week; they will be looking to avenge the 3-1 loss to Hull City on Sunday as they return back to Anfield for a mid-week match against Norwich on Wednesday. The Canaries have rebounded as of late following their 7-0 drubbing at Manchester City and have won two of the last three, losing only to a red-hot Newcastle squad at St. James’ Park.

Norwich vs. Liverpool Betting Story Lines

Brendan Rodger’s side is now seven points behind leaders Arsenal, which makes their 3-1 loss to Hull City all the more shocking. The upset loss threw salt into the wounds of a team that learned they would be without star striker Daniel Sturridge, who is expected to miss up to two months with an ankle injury. Sturridge has tallied nine goals for Liverpool this season, and the main attacking threat will now fall on Luis Suarez.

Chris Hughton’s Norwich squad currently sit 14th in the table with four wins this season, but half of those wins have come in their past three matches, including a 1-0 win over cellar-dwellers Crystal Palace on Saturday. They will be looking to carry their good form into Anfield and improve on a lackluster array of away performances.

Norwich vs. Liverpool Betting Odds and Trends

The away side are available at +1.5 (+115) on 5Dimes. In the last three matches, Norwich is playing their best football this season and have grabbed six points out of nine. In those three games they have tallied five goals while conceding only three. The biggest match of that series came against a Newcastle squad who has recently shown impeccable form, going 4-1-1 in the last six, with wins coming against West Brom, Tottenham, Chelsea and Norwich. They also played Liverpool to a 2-2 draw.

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back against Norwich, a team that has struggled against the Reds, losing the past three meetings. Liverpool has scored 13 goals in the process, including a 5-0 success in a corresponding fixture last season. However, early in the season while Suarez was out due to a suspension, Liverpool was not the offensive juggernaut they are with the duo playing together. It remains to be seen if Suarez will be able to handle the load now that Sturridge is out.

Take Norwich City +1.5 (+110) (2:45 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 5)

The Canaries will be stepping into a hostile environment against a team that has taken two heavy shots as of late -- with Sturridge out and the Hull defeat -- and they may not have their legs back under them just yet following a quick turnaround. Liverpool’s 13 goals against Norwich in the prior three matches between the two sides has likely inflated the line and created value in backing Norwich. Hughton’s side has shown improvement as of late and is looking to carry their recent form into an impressive away performance. If their defense finds a way to settle down Liverpool’s offense in the early goings, look for them to make it a competitive match.

Raphael Esparza (Vegas Sports Informer) went 4-1 last week in his UEFA Champions League picks, including winning his 6-unit play with Shakhtar winning 4-0 over Real Sociedad to pick up 10 units over two days of Champions League action. Click here to purchase a weekend soccer package.