Norwich vs Middlesbrough prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-11-11 15:00.
Entering the World Cup break in fourth place is the best that Norwich can hope for after a poor run of results throughout October. Things might be looking up though, as a hard-fought come from behind 2-1 win over Rotherham last time out made it three unbeaten to further relieve the pressure on boss Dean Smith. Whilst Smith will have been relieved to have taken all three points at the Aesseal New York Stadium, describing the result as “what we needed”, he will know there is still room for improvement.
Norwich’s biennial promotion could still be on, but a return of at least eight fewer points than at the same stage of their last two second-tier seasons is certainly a worry. That’s largely down to a drop off in home form, as Norwich have picked up just five home points from the last 15 available, after taking 13 points from their opening five games of the season at Carrow Road.
Facing a resurgent Middlesbrough won’t be an easy feat then as Michael Carrick enters this clash in high spirits with three unbeaten games from four since taking the reins as the Boro boss (W2, D1, L1). Carrick said that Boro’s comprehensive 3-0 win over Blackpool in midweek “had a bit of everything” as Chuba Akpom kept his purple patch alive whilst Marcus Forss even made a rare appearance on the highlights reel.
Only two Championship sides have picked up more away points across their last five trips than Middlesbrough’s nine (W3, L2), a streak that accounts for all three of Boro’s away wins this season. Posting further improvement on that form here will be tough though, as no Boro player since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2005 has scored at Carrow Road, with an own goal responsible for their lone win across the last five games here (W1, D1, L3).
Players to watch: 19-year-old Aaron Ramsey has burst onto the scene with Norwich, scoring decisive winning goals in two of his last three appearances. As for Boro, Akpom is enjoying his finest scoring season in senior English league football (G8), with three of his last four serving as team openers.
Hot stat: Only Burnley have kept more clean sheets than Norwich’s 12 in league action this season.