Norwich vs Southampton prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-12-31 15:00.
When Norwich and Southampton met on matchday two of this Championship season, a 97th-minute penalty for the visitors rounded out a thrilling 4-4 draw. Ahead of this reverse fixture, the Canaries start the new year five points outside of the play-off places and need some inspiration ahead of this one in order to halt their current two-game losing streak. Both those defeats came via a 1-0 scoreline, which incidentally was also the scoreline in Norwich’s favour when these sides last met on a New Year’s Day, back in 1994.
A return to Carrow Road could provide a much-needed lift for the hosts as they remain unbeaten here across four games (W3, D1). Defensive improvements have proved the cornerstone of that unbeaten sequence as David Wagner’s side posted three clean sheets during that streak, the same amount as the rest of their league season combined!
Southampton won’t fold easily though as they continued to chip away at second-placed Ipswich’s lead with a 2-1 win over Plymouth on Friday. That further extended their unbeaten run (W12, D5), which includes four straight victories, and moved them to within two games of equalling their own club-record in that regard. Playing on New Year’s Day could work to their advantage as well, with the Saints winning their last two league matches played on the first day of a new calendar year.
Russell Martin’s side still have work to do to maintain their promotion push though, as they’ve won just two of their prior six away matches (D4). In order to obtain more success here they need to make a quick start, as only West Brom have won fewer points than Southampton (two) after falling behind in this league campaign.
Key battle: Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn has conceded just one goal in his last three matches at this venue and will bank on that form to override his poor H2H record across two prior meetings (GA: 6). His task could be made difficult by Ché Adams, who travels here after scoring in consecutive games and has three goals in his last three league H2Hs.
Hot stat: Southampton have scored a league-high 11 goals beyond the 80th minute in the Championship this season.