Oxford United vs Norwich Prediction and Betting Tips: Back Rowe to get on the scoresheet
The Championship gets underway this weekend and one of the most intriguing clashes sees newly promoted Oxford United take on Norwich at the Kassam Stadium.
Oxford United vs Norwich Predictions
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The U’s stunned Bolton in the League One play-off final to reach the second tier of English football and they have made some shrewd, experienced signings, most notably midfielder Will Vaulks and winger Matt Phillips from Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom respectively, to help preserve their Championship status.
Norwich had a less successful play-off campaign last time out, as a 4-0 hammering at Leeds United saw the Canaries fall at the semi-final stage. However, they will be expected to be in the mix for promotion once again this season.
The Kassam Stadium is likely to be an emotional venue on Saturday afternoon as Oxford are preparing to play in the second tier for the first time since the 1998/99 season.
The U’s had struggled to escape League One for the past eight seasons, with spells in League One and the National League prior to this, but two goals from Josh Murphy in the play-off final has brought Championship football back to OX4.
That was Murphy’s last act in an Oxford United shirt as he joined fellow newcomers Portsmouth this summer, but key members of the promotion-winning squad remain, including Ruben Rodrigues, Cameron Brannagan, and Mark Harris, who led the way with 15 goals for the U’s last season.
Norwich are expected to challenge for automatic promotion this season and the quality within their squad could see them ruin Oxford’s big day on Saturday.
The Canaries scored 36 goals away from home in the Championship last season, a tally only beaten by league winners Leicester and Middlesbrough, and many of their attacking talents currently remain at Carrow Road.
While Gabriel Sara and Christos Tzolis have left East Anglia, the likes of Josh Sargent, Jon Rowe and Ashley Barnes remain available for Johannes Thorup’s side, with the trio scoring a combined 34 league goals between them.
Their defensive record has been poor recently, with the Canaries keeping just two clean sheets across their last 11 matches including friendlies, and Oxford may grab at least one goal. However, this may be as good as it gets for the hosts.
While Norwich’s pre-season form has been largely sub-par, one shining light has been the performances of striker Jon Rowe, who has netted four goals across the five summer friendlies.
The 21-year-old netted 12 league goals and laid on two assists in the Championship last season and many are tipping the Englishman for a greater return this time around.
At 7/2, he looks a good bet to find the back of the net on Saturday.
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