Oxford United vs Norwich Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 09/08/2024, 23:04  by Sridhar in Championship Predictions

A tough initiation awaits the newly promoted Oxford United as they host playoff hopeful Norwich City in the first match of the Championship season. This match at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford on Saturday comes with our prediction of a win for the visitors.

Oxford are back in the second tier for the first time since the 1998–99 season. They achieved this with a play-off win last season in League One over Bolton in May. The challenge this year is to step up and maintain their status in the championship as they look to cope with the absence of Josh Murphy, who left for Portsmouth in the summer.

The form in the pre-season friendlies has been less than encouraging, as the U’s have lost three of their last four friendlies, each time failing to score. Norwich are looking for a reboot after failing to cross the playoff hurdle last year, losing to Leeds. Their form nosedived late in the season, as they finished sixth in the regular season and failed to make it count in the playoffs.

The Canaries remain one of the favorites to reach at least the playoffs this year. They will have one eye on their defensive record, as Norwich conceded 42 goals in away matches last league campaign, with only Rotherham conceding more. Any hopes of changing that trend will have to see the visitors improve their recent form.

Norwich have failed to win any of their last five friendly matches, drawing two and losing three in the process. The last two matches saw them concede five goals, so defense remains a concern.