Coventry City vs Norwich City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Norwich have endured a very disappointing start to the season having yet to pick up a win, and we expect their woes to continue away at Coventry. The Canaries showed improvement in their 1-1 draw with Sheffield United last time out, whilst their opponents recorded a result of the same scoreline at Bristol City.

The visitors have an excellent recent head-to-head record against Coventry as they are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings. However, their general form has been poor, so look for the Sky Blues to take advantage of the stuttering side. The hosts are unbeaten in their last three in all competitions.

Last season, Norwich ranked 19th on away form, and these struggles have continued into this campaign. Therefore, we are backing Coventry to come away with a narrow win – Coventry 1-0 Norwich

Norwich make the trip to face Coventry, as they look to get their season on the right track and pick up their first win of the campaign.

Date: 31/08/24

Kick-off time: 12:30

Venue: Coventry Building Society Arena

It has been a difficult start for Norwich and new boss Johannes Hoff Thorup, as they have failed to record a victory in their three games. The Canaries are a side who have promotion aspirations after falling short in the playoffs last year, and risk falling behind even this early in the season should their winless streak continue this weekend. Alternatively, a victory could give them some much needed momentum and allow them to put this underwhelming start behind them.

The visitors have some dangerous players that should give Coventry some problems. Most notably Josh Sargent, who led the way for the club last season with 16 goals. He has already got himself on the scoresheet twice this campaign. He is supported by dangerous winger Borja Sainz, who netted in their 2-2 draw with Blackburn. Whilst they have had some success in attack, it is their defence which is providing cause for concern. So far, they have conceded eight goals in four, including three in an EFL Cup tie. They have kept just one clean sheet in 10 stretching back into pre-season.

Looking to take advantage of this weakness is Coventry, who after enduring opening day defeat, have recovered well to take four points from a possible six since. However, they too have had issues at the back, with their one win a 96th minute 3-2 victory against newly promoted Oxford United. The Sky Blues have kept one clean sheet in their last five.

Like Norwich, Coventry have a dangerous duo in attack. Last season, Haji Wright and Ellis Simms scored a combined 29 goals. The latter has yet to get off the mark this campaign, but Wright was the scorer of that late winner, his second of the season. They should be confident in getting chances against a backline who have been lacking in confidence of late.

There have been 10 meetings in all competitions between these two sides since 2010. It has been a dreadful stretch for Coventry, with Norwich absolutely dominating the head-to-head. The Sky Blues have not been victorious in any games, losing seven and drawing three. Their last win against their opponents came in 2009, that 2-1 victory their third in a row. The latest fixture came in February earlier this year, as Norwich won 2-1 at Carrow Road. The hosts actually fell behind shortly into the second half, but turned it around with goals from Sargent and Sainz. The reverse fixture was a 1-1 draw, as an 88th minute own goal salvaged a point for Coventry.

Coventry City vs Norwich City will be available to watch on Sky Sports+.

Coventry

Midfielder Ben Sheaf remains out as he deals with a leg injury, whilst summer signing Raphael Borges Rodrigues still awaits his club debut as he is suffering from a similar issue. However, Coventry should have no new injury concerns to contend with.

Norwich

Jonathan Rowe is nearing an exit from the club so will not feature. Ashley Barnes remains out with a long term injury. Aside from this, Norwich should have a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend.

Coventry:

In their last five games, Coventry have won two, lost two and drawn one. They concluded their pre-season with a fixture against German side Werder Bremen in which they lost 2-1, before continuing that form into the first game of the campaign. Stoke were their opponents on the opening day, and they fell to a 1-0 defeat. There were just three shots on target between the two sides, but their opponents took their chance with Lewis Baker scoring the winner with 12 minutes to go.

They turned their attention to EFL Cup action, and they advanced to the second round with a 1-0 win over Bristol City. Ellis Simms scored a second half winner. They extended their streak to two wins in a row as they beat Oxford United 3-2 in the league. It came in dramatic fashion as Haji Wright netted a 96th minute winner, after they had squandered the lead twice earlier in the game.

Last time out, they faced Bristol City for the second time in as many weeks, as they met in the Championship. It ended in a 1-1 draw, with Kasey Palmer cancelling out an opener from Bristol’s George Tanner.

Norwich:

In their last five games, Norwich have won one, drawn two and lost two. It had been an overly poor pre-season for the Canaries as they prepared for the new campaign, losing their final friendly 3-1 to St Pauli. This form carried on into the new Championship season as they fell to a shock 2-0 defeat in their opener at newly promoted Oxford United. The Canaries managed just two shots on target, whilst their hosts took advantage of their opportunities. Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan were the scorers either side of half-time.

They responded well to advance to the second round of the EFL Cup as they edged past Stevenage 4-3. Norwich went ahead and were pegged back twice, before goals from Borja Sainz and Onel Hernandez gave them some separation. The visitors scored a third late on, but were unable to complete the comeback.

Attention shifted back to league action as they hosted Blackburn. They picked up their first point with a 2-2 draw. Rovers took the lead in this one, but the home side were able to turn it around. They could not hold on though as Yuki Ohashi equalised with three minutes remaining. Last time out they faced Sheffield United. Their search for a first win continued as they were held 1-1 at home. They took the lead through Josh Sargent, but this was cancelled out soon after by Oliver Luke Arblaster.

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