Southampton vs Norwich prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-08-11 14:00.
Southampton resumed life in the Championship with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday last Friday, before manager Russell Martin rotated his entire side for Tuesday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat to League Two Gillingham. After calling that a “big lesson”, Martin may well restore last weekend’s starters as his squad takes shape with Tino Livramento and James Ward-Prowse on their way out of the club.
The Saints accumulated a Championship-record 477 successful first-half passes against Wednesday, and Martin will hope that if they get as much ball again, they can extend a record of not losing at home to Norwich since January 2008 (W7, D2). And that historical dominance could be a welcome confidence boost as they look for a first home league win since early March (D2, L5).
Norwich say they’re not looking to make any more signings before the transfer window closes, but their hand may be forced with rumours rampant that Max Aarons is set to depart. The Canaries will hope any activity doesn’t destabilise their winning start to the season, scoring in stoppage time of both halves en route to a 2-1 victory over Hull – a result described as “anything but lucky” by manager David Wagner, and with some justification too after his side attempted more than 25 shots at goal.
Less than 20% of them were on target, and that’s something the Canaries might have to improve if they’re to build on winning just one of their last six Championship away fixtures (D3, L2) – with two of the last three seeing them trail inside the first ten minutes. Falling to such fate again could spell disaster for Norwich, as the paltry tally of one goal across their last four visits to St Mary’s (L4) wouldn’t exactly inspire much hope of a comeback.
Players to watch: Adam Armstrong opened the scoring for Southampton on matchday one and has registered two goal contributions (G1, A1) in six personal H2Hs against Norwich. Adam Idah’s winner for Norwich against Hull was his latest ever strike (96’) with his two prior club goals coming between the 45th and 55th minute.
Hot streak: Southampton haven’t won their first home league game of the season since 2011/12, their last season in the Championship (D7, L4).