Norwich vs Bristol City prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-09-13 18:45.
Fans of Norwich City must be growing increasingly optimistic of a third promotion in five seasons, after last weekend’s 3-0 win over Coventry City saw the Canaries sit in second place after eight rounds. This is now Norwich's second best start to a season since 2016/17 and their good form has certainly eased pressure on manager Dean Smith, who has led his side to five straight victories for the first time since March 2020.
After an abject start to their campaign (D1, L2), Smith’s side have established some defensive resilience in the following games, keeping a first-half clean sheet in all five matches. Indeed, only one side conceded less than the Canaries’ 36 after 46 games when they last won the division two seasons ago, so preserving this defensive spirit may again prove to be a title-winning formula.
No side has seen more goals in their eight opening Championship fixtures this season than Bristol City (27), with last weekend’s 3-2 victory at Blackburn Rovers typifying their somewhat frenetic approach to games, particularly away from home. There have been 24 goals in Bristol City’s six fixtures away from Ashton Gate in all competitions this season, but this unpredictability is so far paying dividends for the Robins, whose current 4th place position after eight games is their highest in the Championship since the 2007/08 campaign.
If Nigel Pearson’s side are to improve on their underwhelming 17th place finish last season and genuinely trouble the play-off positions, then sustaining the front-foot aggression which has seen them score before the break in each of their league fixtures this season could be key. Perhaps even more so against a Norwich side who the Robins haven’t beaten in any of the last ten H2Hs (D3, L7).
Players to watch: Forward Josh Sargent has had an encouraging start to the season, netting the opening goal in three of Norwich’s last five league games. Meanwhile, all six of Tommy Conway’s strikes for Bristol in all competitions this season have arrived in the first half.
Hot stat: There’s been three or more goals in 19 of Bristol City’s last 26 away league games.