Sunderland vs Norwich City Prediction: 300/1 shot for entertaining home win

Sunderland staged a remarkable comeback last time out as they came from two goals down at Swansea to win 3-2 thanks to Jobe Bellingham’s goal and assist, that turned zero points into three in Wales. Next up, the Black Cats look to keep their promotion push on track as they host Norwich City, who lost 2-1 to Burnley at the weekend having taken an early lead in that one. 

This one kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday and below you can find my Sunderland vs Norwich City predictions, featuring team news and betting tips as we head to the north-east for what looks like a belting encounter. 

Team News

Sunderland are still struggling to get out of the injury crisis they find themselves in. Romaine Mundle has a hamstring injury that will keep him out until 2025, and his replacement Tom Watson, having done so well in the brief chance he was given, is now also out until January with a knee problem. 

Alan Browne broke his leg and is sidelined, along with Niall Huggins and Jensen Seelt for the Black Cats, but Regis Le Bris does have some positive news on the horizon. Ian Poveda, somewhat of a forgotten man in those parts, is now back in training and could provide some relief to those attacking issues. 

Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Jobe are all fit however and as long as that remains the case, Sunderland will be alright. That midfield trio will support Wilson Isidor, with Eliezer Mayenda and Patrick Roberts likely to occupy the wide positions. Luke O’Nien played the last 20 minutes at Swansea and he is likely to replace one of Dan Ballard or Chris Mepham at centre-back.

Norwich’s disciplinary issues have gone from bad to worse this week. After the news that captain Kenny McLean has been banned for four matches, Angus Gunn has now been charged with misconduct following that same QPR match, and could face a ban. George Long will be called upon if that is the case, while Gabriel Forsyth, Josh Sargent and Liam Gibbs all remain out of action. 

It means Jack Stacey and Kellen Fisher will continue their battle for the right-back spot, while there is an argument to be made that Ben Chrisene deserves a shot on the opposite flank in place of Callum Doyle - who has played a lot of football this term. Ante Crnac may lose his place up top to Ashley Barnes if Norwich decide to go a little more direct away from home, while the options in midfield are limited without McLean and Gibbs. Anis Ben Slimane, Emiliano Marcondes and Marcelino Nunez feel like the only options in that area for Johannes Hoff Thorup right now. 

Sunderland vs Norwich City Odds

Sunderland are priced at 4/5 to win this game having gone unbeaten at home so far this term, with four draws and six wins to their name. A draw is available at 12/5, while a Norwich win can be backed at 3/1. The Canaries have only won twice on the road so far in 2024/25, so they are rightly a long price to find all three points on Saturday. 

Over 2.5 goals is priced at 5/6 having come in during 57% of Norwich’s matches while BTTS can be backed at 8/11. Isidor, having scored five league goals this term, is the favourite to open the scoring at 5/1. 

Sunderland to win @ 4/5 

I’m going to back the home side here for a number of reasons. First of all, their home form is exemplary and it’s difficult to see them losing a game on home soil this season. They are near EVS to beat a Norwich team that is hampered with injuries in key areas, and doesn’t seem to be able to replicate their home form on the road. 

They beat Plymouth and Luton at home and scored 10 goals in the process, but their displays at QPR, Portsmouth, West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday left a lot to be desired. In fact, they’ve now gone seven games without an away win and I don’t see that changing here. Sunderland have Rigg and Bellingham on top form, and that should be enough to get them over the line in this one. 

Borja Sainz to score first & Sunderland 4-2 Norwich @ 300/1

It’s Christmas, and I’m expecting a cracker at the Stadium of Light, so let’s push the boat out a bit. I think Sunderland can tear this Norwich team apart in a thrilling encounter, but they have also proven themselves to be susceptible to conceding the first goal. They went 2-0 down at Swansea, while they also conceded first against Bristol City and Stoke at home, so they have now conceded the first goals in their last three outings. 

Norwich also possess the finest goalscorer in the league in the form of Borja Sainz. With 15 goals in 21 appearances, he hasn’t found the net for a couple of weeks, but I think that will end this weekend. He can take full advantage and strike first in this one, while let’s plump for a 4-2 home win to make this a very merry Christmas indeed.

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League or Championship game on Friday or Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement).

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.