Norwich City vs Millwall Prediction: The Canaries can sing on Boxing Day

Norwich City will look to bring an end to a four-game winless run in the EFL Championship on Thursday (15:00, Sky Sports+) when they welcome Millwall to Carrow Road. The Canaries were beaten by Sunderland last time out but did give an impressive performance on Wearside.

Millwall were 1-0 victors over in-form Blackburn Rovers at the weekend in their first game without Neil Harris in charge. Dave Livermore did well to secure the three points but he faces a tough away trip now with the Lions. Reports suggest Alex Neil is the next man to check in at The Den but we await an announcement from the club.Below you will find my Norwich City vs Millwall prediction, accompanied by the latest match odds and team news.

Norwich City vs Millwall Odds

Norwich are 6/5, which carries an implied probability of 45.5%, to win this match, but the Canaries have won just four of their 10 home games this season.

Millwall are valued at 5/2 (28.6%) to take the three points but they have won just one game on the road this campaign so far in nine attempts.

The draw can be backed at 11/5 (31.3%), with both teams experiencing 15 stalemates between them this term.

Carrow Road has seen both teams get on the scoresheet in eight out of 10 fixtures so far, and BTTS is priced at 5/6 for Thursday. Seven of those clashes have seen over 2.5 goals land too, which is on offer at 11/10 for this one.

Norwich's Borja Sainz is the leading marksman in the division with 15 goals, and he is 4/1 to open the scoring on Boxing Day.

Football Odds

Team News

Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup is having to cope with a couple of suspensions at the moment. Kenny McLean is banned for violent conduct that was missed by officials against Queens Park Rangers. The Scotsman picked up a four-game suspension, which has now happened twice this season. He will miss a further two matches after this clash with the Lions.

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn was also charged with misconduct for that same game and he has been fined £4.5k.

Defender Jose Cordoba is suspended for this contest after picking up two yellow cards against the Black Cats at the weekend. This will likely result in Grant Hanley being called up from the bench to deputise for him against Millwall.

The Canaries are still missing influential forward Josh Sargent because of a groin injury, so Onel Hernandez is expected to keep his place in the side as a false nine for the home side. Although veteran centre-forward Ashley Barnes remains an option for Thorup.

Liam Gibbs is also confined to the treatment room with a hamstring strain which has plagued his campaign so far. The midfielder has made just seven appearances in the league this term, and his absence has limited Norwich's options in midfield.

Gabriel Forsyth is another Canary in the treatment room, with the midfielder out with a knee injury.

For Millwall, they are missing key defender Jake Cooper due to a knee problem. Shaun Hutchinson has returned to training following a three-game lay-off, so he could be in contention to return to the side against Norwich. He was on the bench against Blackburn, so we could see him return to action here, likely in place of Murray Wallace to partner Japhet Tanganga.

Forward Josh Coburn is out of action until the new year because of a broken metatarsal. Livermore still has Macaulay Langstaff, Tom Bradshaw and Mihailo Ivanovic to call upon up front in the Middlesbrough loanee's absence.

Ivanovic was the late match-winner against Rovers last time out, so we could see him promoted to the lineup in place of Langstaff. Expect Femi Azeez and Romain Esse to keep their places in the final third.

Norwich to win @ 6/5

Norwich have been a funny team throughout the season so far. Consistency has been a big problem for them but yet they are one of the highest-scoring teams in the division. This gives them a good base for a play-off push but they need to start correcting their form for that to happen.

As I mentioned above, they are four games without a win in the second tier, which is certainly not the form of a promotion contender. Thorup has an intense schedule coming up from which his side need to collect a decent points return.

I do think Millwall does provide them with a good opportunity to get back to winning ways. Carrow Road may not currently be the hunting ground they were hoping for this season, but it is the Lions' lack of wins on the road that gives me hope.

Millwall have won just once on the road this campaign, and while they will feel Norwich's inconsistency could provide them with a chance to pick up a second victory on the road, Norwich's free-scoring should be enough to get the Canaries back on track.

Borja Sainz anytime goalscorer @ 8/5

Norwich's Spanish winger Sainz has been dazzling the Championship stage this season with his goalscoring talents. He sits on 15 currently, five clear of West Bromwich Albion's Josh Maja with 10.

In front man Sargent's absence, much of the Canaries' goal threat has been thrust on Sainz's shoulders, and he has largely been delivering to the best of his ability. There have been times in which he has struggled, and that is when Norwich haven't been at the races collectively.

The wide man is currently on a four-game drought in front of goal - the longest such run he has experienced in the league this season. It feels like he is overdue a goal and that his fortunes should change.

He has a great opportunity against a Millwall side who have struggled to pick up wins away from home. Norwich are in need of some inspiration from Sainz here to kickstart a busy week in style, and I believe he can rise to the challenge.

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