Norwich vs. Crystal Palace Predictions: In-form Canaries backed to continue superb start to 2022

A rejuvenated Norwich City will be looking to continue their superb start to 2022 when they host a Crystal Palace side struggling for consistency. The clubs clash at Carrow Road on Wednesday night in a match that will be screened live on BT Sport ESPN / BT Sport Extra 3.

A shambolic return of five straight defeats saw Norwich end 2021 in disastrous fashion, although most people had written off the club’s survival chances long before that losing streak. Not Dean Smith. The Canaries boss has started the New Year with an absolute bang, accumulating four wins from five games in all competitions. As a result, Norwich have already won more games in 2022 (four) than the first-half of the season (three).

Smith’s methods have started to yield positive results, which includes an impressive win away to Wolves in the FA Cup last weekend, preceded by a huge 3-0 win at Watford which saw the Norfolk club leap out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Crystal Palace also booked their place in the fifth round courtesy of a 2-0 win at home to Hartlepool, however their league form has been patchy at best, with only two games won from 11 since early November. 

Despite their indifferent form and a return of just one win on the road, visiting Palace have been installed as the 6/5 favourites for the three points. Hosts Norwich can be backed at 13/5 to stamp their fifth win of 2022 on the board, whereas a draw can be found at 23/10.

Norwich haven’t won three straight Premier League matches since 2012 when they were managed by Chris Hughton, however I fancy them to make it a hat-trick of triumphs against a Palace side, who have looked far from their best in recent weeks.

Confidence and momentum are huge in football. Boss Dean Smith has his side brimming with self-belief as they bid to orchestrate a spirited survival push, something that looked far from likely last year.

The Canaries look a decent price at 5/2 to collect the spoils in front of their own fans, an outcome which - depending on other results - could create a little gap between themselves and the bottom three. However, I’ve upped the ante and picked out odds of 4/1 for Smith’s side to win by one goal, something they’ve done three times already this year, and in five of their last six wins since November.

Palace have been poor on the road this season, winning only once in 10 games. Yes, that was a shock 2-0 win at Man City, but on the whole seven points from a possible 30 represents a disappointing return.

Conor Gallagher has been fantastic this season. The Chelsea loanee loves nothing more than roaring forward and given his eye for goal he’ll fancy his chances of peppering down multiple shots against what is statistically the league’s worst defence (45 goals conceded in 22 games).

Gallagher’s had 36 shots so far this season; the same as Jamie Vardy, and more than the likes of Raúl Jiménez, Riyad Mahrez, and Romelu Lukaku. 15 of those shots have been on target, resulting in seven goals; only 10 players in the league have scored more. 

The midfielder recently had a whopping seven shots against Everton, and earlier in the season he registered six against Spurs. In terms of Shots On Target he’s had 2+ in four games so far, and is priced at 23/10 to fire in 2+ SOT against the Canaries.