Norwich vs Watford prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-01-01 15:00.
Adam Idah’s strike in his first start of the season wasn’t enough, as Norwich drew 1-1 against Reading on Friday in their first match following the sacking of Dean Smith. The Canaries remain outside the playoff spots leading caretaker manager Allan Russell – leading the team alongside Steve Weaver – to admit that “there is no magic wand”, but he’ll want to conjure up three points against fellow top-six hopefuls Watford, who are one point ahead in the standings.
The omens appear good for a side targeting a revival of their promotion bid, with Norwich unbeaten in their last six opening Championship games of a calendar year (W5, D1). Extending that may need the hosts to override recent form though, having picked up just one win across eight league home games (D3, L4) since mid-September and scoring one or fewer in six of them!
Watford arguably need the three points even more after slumping to a 4-0 loss at Swansea on Friday to mark back-to-back defeats. Manager Slaven Bilić was left frustrated after the result, stating that “the fans definitely don’t deserve that” as he looks to lift a side battling with a lengthy injury list. The absence of top-scorer João Pedro looks likely to sting the Hornets the most, as they look to buzz past their recent scoring woes of only two goals across five league games.
It doesn’t help matters that Watford have lost nine of their last 11 opening league games of a calendar year (W1, D1), though it’s not all doom and gloom ahead of this contest. The Hornets have won six of the last seven H2Hs (L1) including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture and can now target four consecutive Championship H2H victories for the first time.
Players to watch: Norwich’s Josh Sargent has scored a joint-personal high three goals against Watford, all netted in his last two league H2Hs. Keinan Davis may prove decisive once again however, with his last three Championship goals coming in Watford wins, including the reverse fixture.
Hot stat: No side has kept more first-half clean sheets than Norwich (18) this league campaign.