Norwich vs Luton prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-10-17 18:45.
The top of the Championship table couldn’t be much tighter if it tried, with the top-five separated by just a single point after the weekend’s action. Norwich are right in the thick of that five-team peloton, but they will be kicking themselves that they aren’t leading after going down 2-1 against Watford on Saturday to extend their winless league run to three matches (D1, L2).
Dean Smith’s side probably haven’t picked the best time to start a faltering run, with back-to-back games against joint-leaders Sheffield United and Burnley on the horizon. Those games perhaps place added importance on snapping their winless run against Luton, who might be visiting at the right time from a Norwich perspective given the Canaries have won each of the last three home league H2Hs.
However in stark contrast to their hosts, Luton actually come into this game as one of the Championship’s form sides, unbeaten in six (W3, D3) and off the back of an impressive 3-1 victory against fellow promotion hopefuls QPR. That run of results has lifted Luton to the fringes of the play-offs, and extending that with a victory here would see them end the round inside the top-six for the first time this season.
After their play-off heartbreak last campaign when losing in the semi-finals against Huddersfield, there’s extra incentive for Luton to go one step further this season. Improving on some solid Championship away form may hold the key to taking that next step, with Luton winning three of their last four away league games and scoring exactly twice in each victory.
Players to watch: Norwich’s Josh Sargent netted against Watford and has scored in five of the Canaries’ last six home league outings, opening the scoring three times. Meanwhile, Luton’s Elijah Adebayo has found his scoring boots of late with three goals in as many games, each of which came in the first half.
Hot stat: Luton have led at half-time in a league-high eight of their 14 Championship games this season (HT: D4, L2).