Norwich still have hopes of finishing in the Championship play-off places this season but can't afford another slip-up like we saw last time out against Blackburn Rovers when they play host to Oxford United on Friday night.
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Norwich vs Oxford Utd prediction: Sargent to lead by example?
Key Stats
- Josh Sargent is enjoying another excellent season in front of goal for the Canaries, scoring 15 times and providing five assists in the league.
- Norwich have scored in 65% of their first halves at home in the Championship this season.
- The hosts have also scored in 65% of their second halves at Carrow Road.
Correct score prediction: Norwich 2-0 Oxford Utd
Norwich have been at their strongest at home this season where they are picking up an average of 1.76 points per game and scoring an average of 2.41 goals per game, while Oxford Utd are averaging just 0.53 points on their travels where they score an average of 0.59 goals per game.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The Canaries the clear favourite
- HOME: 6/10 (1.60) – 62.5%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Norwich are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 62.5%, and we tend to agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Oxford edge it
Friday's guests Oxford Utd have won three and lost two of their last five meetings with Norwich, claiming a 2-0 victory when the pair met in August's reverse fixture.
England Championship 10/08/24
Oxford Utd
Norwich
Norwich preview: Thought they'd beaten Blackburn
A tight and tense game at Ewood Park looked to be ending for a goalless with the main points of interest being Lewis Dobbin's first-half injury for Norwich and the sending off of Blackburn substitute Emmanuel Dennis in the 85th minute.
However, Canaries' sub, Ante Crnac fired the ball into the back of the net in the last minute to seemingly win the game for the visitors only for the ten-men of Blackburn to score a dramatic equalising goal in the sixth minute of time added on to claim a share of the spoils.
Along with Dobbin, Gabriel Forsyth, Liam Gibbs, Forson Amankwah, Matej Jurasek, Kenny McLean and Archie Mair could miss the Oxford Utd game through injury.
Predicted lineup: Gunn (GK), Duffy, Cordoba, Chrisene, Fisher, Sorensen, Ben Slimane, Nunez, Sargent, Crnac & Sainz
England Championship 03/05/25
W
Cardiff
2
Norwich
4
England Championship 26/04/25
D
Middlesbrough
0
Norwich
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Millwall
3
Norwich
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Portsmouth
5
Norwich
3
England Championship 11/04/25
L
Burnley
2
Norwich
1
Oxford preview: Lost a five-goal thriller with Coventry
The U's had been hoping to end their six-game winless run when they played host to Coventry City last weekend.
However, Gary Rowett's side fell behind not once, not twice but three times in what turned out to be a five-goal thriller at The Kassam Stadium, one which Coventry edged by three goals to two.
Forward Max Woltman and defenders Stuart Findlay and Gregory Leigh make up the trio of players Who could miss the trip to Carrow Road on Friday night due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Cumming (GK), Helik, Brown, Moore, Kioso, Vaulks, Brannagan, Płacheta, Harris, Romeny & Goodrham
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Swansea
3
Oxford Utd
3
England Championship 26/04/25
W
Sunderland
0
Oxford Utd
2
England Championship 21/04/25
D
Cardiff
1
Oxford Utd
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Leeds
1
Oxford Utd
0
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Sheff Wed
0
Oxford Utd
1
Player to watch – Josh Sargent
Norwich's American international forward Josh Sargent took a little time to settle in at the club but since their relegation to the Championship, the former Werder Bremen striker has shined.
Sargent scored 13 times in his debut season in England's second tier, netted 16 last time out and currently sits on 11 goals from 21 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign.
The American striker has found his level in the Championship
The hardworking 25-year-old is in great form right now with seven goals in his last seven outings in the Championship and we're backing him to cause the Oxford Utd defence plenty of issues on Friday night.