Norwich City vs Blackburn Rovers: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Norwich were comfortably beaten by newly promoted Oxford United in their opener and will be desperate to bounce back in their first home game. Blackburn were winners against Derby and will look to inflict more misery on their hosts. However, we expect there to be nothing to split the two sides, with a high scoring draw on the cards.

Last season, Norwich had the fourth-best home form in the Championship, and will welcome a return to familiar surroundings. Blackburn won this fixture at Carrow Road last year, and we are backing them to get another positive result to continue their strong start to the campaign – Norwich 2-2 Blackburn

Norwich City welcome Blackburn Rovers to Carrow Road in the second game of the Championship season, with both sides experiencing contrasting fortunes in their openers.

Date: 17/08/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Carrow Road

The Canaries suffered a shock defeat last weekend as they were defeated 2-0 away from home against newly promoted Oxford United. It was a disaster start for new Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup as they suffered an early blow in their campaign. They had a poor pre-season, and it seems that this form has carried over into the league as they failed to trouble their opponents. In the defeat they created little chances, only managing two shots on target.

Thorup’s men will be expected to fight for promotion once more after finishing in the top six last year, only to lose out to Leeds in the semi-finals of the playoffs. Despite their slow start, a victory this weekend would allow them to put that previous disappointment behind them.

Contrastingly, Blackburn enjoyed great success in their opener, beating Derby County 4-2 at home. It was the perfect start for a team who finished near the bottom of the table last season, and they will be hoping to make it two wins from two with what could be a huge three early points.

Goals should be a feature in this game, with both sides posing dangerous threats in attack. For Norwich, Josh Sargent led the way with 16 goals last season, and will now have even bigger responsibilities given the uncertainties over Jon Rowe’s future at the club. Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics led the entire league with 27 goals, and he too has faced questions over his future. However, he came off the bench against Derby and scored his first of the season, reinforcing the importance of keeping him at the club. New signings Andreas Weimann and Yuki Ohashi also hit the ground running, netting in their debuts.

In the last decade, these two teams have met 12 times in the Championship. Norwich have been by far the superior side in during this time, winning seven of these games and losing just twice. However, in most recent seasons, they have not been getting their own way like they had been before. In the last five league meetings, Blackburn have had more success, winning two and drawing two. This includes two victories at Carrow Road. Last season, Norwich failed to pick up a win, losing at home and drawing on the road. The latest fixture, a 1-1 draw, saw the hosts come from behind through Dominic Hyam after Marcelino Nunez gave Norwich a first half lead. The first fixture was much more comfortable 3-1 win, with a 3-0 lead before a stoppage time consolation.

Norwich City vs Blackburn Rovers will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

Norwich City

Jonathan Rowe missed out on the squad altogether last time out due to transfer speculation, with his availability once again in doubt should he still be at the club. Josh Sargent should get another start down the middle.

Blackburn Rovers

Sammie Szmodics did not feature in pre-season and was left on the bench amid links to a move away, but he came on and scored in their opener. He will hope to start in this game. Blackburn do not have any new injury concerns ahead of this one.

Norwich City:

In their last five games, Norwich have drawn two and lost three. It had been an overly poor pre-season for the Canaries as they prepared for the new campaign. 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.

The first game of this run was their second pre-season game in Belgium saw them draw 1-1 with Standard Liege. Norwich started strong, and took the lead through Borja Sainz after nine minutes. However, their lead would not last for long as their opponents equalised just five minutes later. Another defeat followed as they lost 1-0 to Magdeburg of Germany.

Their next German opponent was Hoffenheim, against whom they were able to pick up a 2-2 draw after going behind. In their most recent game, they welcomed St Pauli to Carrow Road. However, they ended their pre-season with a 3-1 defeat. Jonathan Rowe was their goal scorer.

Blackburn Rovers:

In their last five games, Blackburn have won three and drawn two. Blackburn headed into the new league season following a strong pre-season in which they came through undefeated. They continued this form into the campaign as they got off to the perfect start with a 4-2 win over Derby County in their home opener.

They took the lead in the first half through Tyrhys Dolan, but were pegged back midway through the second. However, they were not on level terms for long as Andreas Weimann restored their advantage five minutes later. Sammie Szmodics and Yuki Ohashi added on before Kane Wilson pulled another back for the visitors.

This followed a pre-season in which they recorded away wins against lower league sides Accrington Stanley and Stockport, and were held to 1-1 draws at Morecambe and Wigan Athletic.

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