Norwich vs Oxford Prediction: Sargent to fill his boots

We’ve got a Championship clash from Carrow Road coming our way on Friday night as Norwich City host Oxford United in a battle of the yellows. This one kicks off at 20:00 on Sky Sports Football as the Canaries hope to fire themselves back towards the top six. They currently sit four points behind West Brom in sixth, but with Josh Sargent back fit, they are a force to be reckoned with. 

Oxford meanwhile have a bit of work to do to avoid the drop as they are in a slightly sticky run of form right now. Below you can find my Norwich vs Oxford predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Norwich’s Aston Villa loanee Lewis Dobbin was forced off with a calf injury against Blackburn and has now been ruled out for the rest of the season. Matej Jurasek who joined in January has a thigh issue that has kept him out of the last two squads, while Liam Gibbs, Kenny McLean, Amankwah Forson and Gabriel Forsyth all remain sidelined.  There's also bad news in the form of Ben Chrisene, as the left-back is also unlikely to be seen again this term according to his manager.

However there is good news in the form of Callum Doyle, who has now served his two-match suspension and should return to the defence. Ante Crnac is expected to replace Dobbin on the right wing, joining Sargent and Borja Sainz in a top-class front three. 

Oxford are in a bit of a pickle right now and are currently without Greg Leigh, Ben Nelson and Tom Bradshaw. Joe Bennett is also set to miss this one with a quad problem he picked up against West Brom, having been out for the majority of the season with an ankle injury. 

Alex Matos could come back in having dropped to the bench against Coventry, but the U’s did at least end their barren scoring run. That means January signing Ole Romeny and Mark Harris will continue to provide the attacking thrust, while it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Peter Kioso replaced by Hidde ter Avest after a disappointing showing against the Sky Blues. 

Norwich vs Oxford Odds

Norwich are priced at 4/7 to win this game which gives them an implied win probability of 63% having won eight of their 17 home league matches so far. Meanwhile Oxford have only won one away game on the road this season and they are priced at 5/1, while a draw can be backed at 3/1. 

From a goals perspective, Sargent is the favourite to score first at 4/1, while over 2.5 goals can be backed at 4/5 having come in during 49% of Norwich’s fixtures this term. BTTS is 10/11 while Norwich are 3/1 to win both halves. 

Norwich to win both halves at 3/1 

I think we have to back Norwich City for this one. It looks like they are going to make a serious push for the play-offs now with Sainz and Sargent now fit and firing. Johannes Hoff Thorup will be desperate for his side to improve their home form and get on a run of wins from now until the end of the campaign. 

They are unbeaten in their last three but will have been left frustrated at the concession of an injury-time equaliser that saw them throw away a valuable three points against play-off rivals Blackburn Rovers. However, they have looked like a really competent Championship outfit of late, while Oxford haven’t won in their last seven games, and have lost their last three. 

Gary Rowett’s early sparkle appears to have disappeared and they are sinking rapidly towards the bottom three, although you have to imagine the seven-point cushion they currently have on those below the bottom line should be enough to keep them up. They need to start picking up wins again, but I can’t see it happening here. Good value on backing Norwich to win both halves in my eyes. 

Josh Sargent to score two or more @ 7/1

In my opinion, no other Championship striker comes close to matching the talent of Sargent. The American forward has suffered serious injuries in each of the last two seasons that has unfortunately limited his game time, but he has now scored 11 goals in 21 games this term, and his recent form is exceptional. 

He’s scored seven goals in his last seven matches, including braces against Swansea and Stoke in home fixtures during that time. I think Oxford, who have leaked goals of late, will struggle to keep Sargent quiet at Carrow Road. The U’s have conceded 52 goals this term, four more than bottom club Derby County, and I think the American could have a field day in a big home win. 

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