Norwich City vs Bristol City Prediction: Canaries face first home defeat in a year

Both Norwich City and Bristol City suffered defeats to the Steel City sides on Tuesday night in the Championship, as the Robins saw their eight game unbeaten run ended by the Blades. Harrison Burrows scored in the 98th minute to give Sheffield United all three points at Ashton Gate, while Norwich were tepid in their 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. 

It means these two will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they meet at Carrow Road on Saturday at 15:00. Below you will find my Norwich City vs Bristol City prediction featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Norwich had the news this week that Josh Sargent would be out until 2025 as he requires groin surgery, and that comes as a big blow to the Canaries. Johannes Hoff Thorup tested a front three of Kaide Gordon, Ante Crnac and Borja Sainz against Wednesday, but it didn’t seem to work without a focal point. 

Amankwah Forson or Christian Fassnacht could provide another forward option but Thorup cannot switch things up too much as he is currently missing nine first-team players. Angus Gunn is missing in goal, with George Long underperforming as his deputy. Key midfielder Marcelino Nunez is out until after the international break while Gabriel Forsyth has suffered a knee injury and could also miss this game. 

Football Odds

Kenny McLean will also miss this game through suspension after he was handed further punishment from the FA due to the manner of his dismissal against Middlesbrough. Jacob Sorensen is likely to continue to deputise for the Scottish international. 

Meanwhile Bristol City will be without Rob Dickie after the centre-back was sent off late on against Sheffield United, while Mark Sykes and Ben Pring started as part of a new-look back four, but Sykes had to come off injured early on and could miss this one. 

George Tanner is also absent after picking up an issue against Preston, along with midfielder Joe Williams. Luke McNally missed out against the Blades with concussion but should return this weekend to strengthen the defence that has been unsettled this week. Nahki Wells is expected to lead the line once again.

Norwich City vs Bristol City Odds

Norwich are priced at 13/10 to win this game, giving them an implied win probability of 43%. An away win can be backed at 2/1, a draw is 5/2 and over 2.5 goals is 4/5. BTTS can be backed at 8/13 while Crnac is the favourite to open the scoring at 5/1. 

Under 2.5 goals @ 10/11

I was concerned about Norwich’s attacking fluidity in midweek. Without Sargent, McLean and Sara they have lost a serious amount of their first-team quality, and with the loss of individuals has come a loss of control. Without Sargent, they are lacking a presence up front and although Borja Sainz has been sensational this season, he can’t do it all on his own. 

Meanwhile, Bristol City’s games have featured a decent number of goals, but a trip to Carrow Road is always tough. I’d imagine they will try and keep a clean sheet with the likes of McNally back in the team, and I think it is achievable against a Norwich attack still finding their way.

Bristol City to win to nil @ 9/2

I think the Robins can keep a clean sheet against this Norwich team as I’ve just stated, while I also think they have what it takes to win at Carrow Road. I think the Canaries have been hammered by injuries of late, and with the goalkeeper situation I’m not that confident they can find a win despite their strong home form. 

Norwich haven’t lost at home in over a year, but I can see that changing on Saturday as Bristol City look to put in another strong performance. Thorup will try and find a solution to his injury crisis, but I think there’s only so much he can do. I expect Bristol City to be able to name the stronger XI on paper, and am happy to back them to come away with a win to nil at big odds. 

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