Swansea vs Norwich prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-12-09 15:00.
The break for the FIFA World Cup came at the perfect time for Swansea City as their form noticeably dipped before the mid-season pause. A run of six victories from seven games had lifted them into the play-offs, but then Russell Martinâs men failed to win any of their last five matches (D4, L1), although four of those were away, and consequently now find themselves outside the top six on goal difference heading into the weekend restart.
If ambitions of a return to the Premier League are to be realised, the Swansâ poor defensive record will need to be fixed, as theyâve conceded more goals than any other side in the top half of the Championship table (28). A return to the Swansea.com Stadium should help as they are on a run of five unbeaten at home (W4, D1) while the visit of Norwich City could inspire further confidence among their leaky backline, as Swansea have won this H2H âto nilâ in three of the last four meetings on home soil (L1).
Conceding a 92nd minute winner to Middlesbrough in their final game before the break sent Norwich fans away dismayed, and their inconsistent form has left them six points adrift of the automatic promotion places. For a side so notoriously dominant at this level, the Canaries have struggled this time around, failing to win back-to-back games since early September.
Travel sickness has blighted Dean Smithâs men, with their final five Championship road trips before the World Cup break yielding just one win (D2, L2). A visit to Swansea has often been a struggle for Norwich historically too, highlighted by the fact theyâve won just three of their last 14 trips here (D2, L9).
Players to watch: Swansea forward JoĂ«l Piroe is his sideâs joint top scorer in the Championship this season, and has netted his last two goals inside the final ten minutes. Also on target of late has been Norwichâs Aaron Ramsey who scored three times in his final four appearances before the mid-season pause.
Hot stat: Swansea have scored at least twice in each of their last five Championship home games (W4, D1).