Football Bet of the Day: Sainz and Sargent to strike vs Stoke

We’ve got a whole host of football action coming our way on Saturday as the international break comes to an end, and we’ve turned our attention to the Championship for our Football Bet of the Day. Stoke City, now managed by former Norwich coach Narcis Pelach, host the Canaries on Saturday afternoon. 

However, I’m not convinced that it is going to be a profitable afternoon for the Potters, as you can see by my selection. Read on for my Football Bet of the Day for Saturday, October 19. 

I’ve been extremely impressed with Norwich City so far this season, and with their new boss Johannes Hoff Thorup. After catching up with Talk Norwich City host Jack Reeve on the latest episode of The Sportsman Untitled, I’m now fully on-board with their charge for the top six, and there’s a whole lot to be positive about. 

The great Dane has brought positivity back to Carrow Road after a couple of dour years under David Wagner and Dean Smith. Dour may seem like an exaggeration given Wagner reached the play-offs last season, but their away form was miserable and they were hammered at Elland Road by Leeds in the end of season showdown. 

Having sold two stars in the form of Jon Rowe and Gabby Sara over the summer to European big boys Marseille and Galatasaray, many expected Norwich to suffer a drop off in terms of league placement this campaign. However, with some smart recruitment and the emergence of Borja Sainz, they actually look like a far superior team in 2024/25. 

A top six finish now has to be the priority for Thorup, who has passed many tests with flying colours already. He was under pressure from the first minute as Rowe refused to play against Oxford to force a move through. His side lost 2-0 to the favourites to go down on the opening day, but since then, they have found a way to put in some terrific performances. 

Stoke vs Norwich Odds

Sainz has been the catalyst, and seems to be flourishing without Rowe and Sara. He seemingly enjoys the responsibility of being the main man, with no player having scored more goals in the Championship than he has this term. With seven to his name already, I’m backing him to find the net again from the left wing away at Stoke in a Norwich win.

I’m also backing Josh Sargent to score. He is, in my opinion, the best striker in the  Champiionship and even with injury, managed 16 goals in 28 league appearances last term. He should be able to tear apart what is a weak looking Stoke defence, and the Potters are a side I am not convinced about at all this season. 

Steven Schumacher was doing a decent job there but Jonathan Walters made the decision to part ways with him earlier in the season, and bring in Pelach. A 6-1 thumping of Portsmouth was a cracking home win, but I think it may have been an anomaly, rather than what we can expect of Stoke for the remainder of the season based on other performances. To sum up this bet, I really like Norwich this season and think they can feature in the promotion mix with two genuinely star players for this level. 

They are facing a Stoke team who are still searching for their identity under their new manager, and I believe the Canaries will bag a big win on Saturday, thanks to Sainz and Sargent. 

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