Oxford vs Norwich Prediction: Buckingham’s boys to make positive return

Oxford ended a 25-year wait for Championship football by stunning Bolton in the League One play-off final, but they have been given a stiff task on their return to the second tier as they face promotion hopefuls Norwich at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (12:30 KO).

The Canaries endured a mixed campaign last season but managed to secure a play-off place, only to then go down in emphatic fashion to Leeds United - with their failed promotion bid leading to Johannes Hoff Thorup replacing David Wagner in the dugout. Read on for my Oxford vs Norwich prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

The U's have been active in the transfer market for what is expected to be a battle of survival, bringing in plenty of Championship experience with the likes of Matt Phillips, Will Vaulks and Peter Kioso.

Those will be expecting to start as will former Canary Przemyslaw Placheta, while fellow summer signings Malcolm Ebiowei and Louie Sibley will be hoping for some involvement.

Norwich have perhaps not been as busy as they might have been, but have made moves to shore up a defence that struggled last season.

Jose Cordoba, Ben Chrisene and Callum Doyle have all been brought in and could well be in the starting line-up with the likes of Christos Tzolis, Dimitrios Giannoulis, Ben Gibbs and Danny Batth all having moved on.

The departure of Gabriel Sara leaves something of a hole but Jonathan Rowe is expected to start despite speculation over his future.

Oxford vs Norwich Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Oxford vs Norwich page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Oxford United are priced up at 21/10 to make their return to the Championship a winning one, not the biggest price considering they are favoured for relegation. The Canaries are 13/10 favourites to chalk up an opening win, while the draw is on offer at 12/5.

Goals are somewhat expected with over 2.5 priced up at 4/5, while BTTS is a 4/6 chance. Josh Sargent leads the way as an anytime goalscorer at 9/5, with Mark Harris Oxford's shortest priced option at 23/10.

Oxford or Draw - Double Chance and Over 2.5 Goals @ 12/5

The Kassam Stadium will be rocking on Saturday on Oxford's return to the Championship and there is little doubt they will be desperate to make a statement, particularly as many will have them already set for the drop, reflected in their price for relegation.

Norwich are of course a step up in class, but it is hard to get away from the Canaries’ struggles on the road last season, winning just six of their away games in the Championship.

Just one win in pre-season is not necessarily tempering those doubts and the U's might just be able to get something from this game, having suffered just five league defeats at the Kassam last season.

Goals seem almost guaranteed though as Oxford netted 44 in front of their own fans, while Norwich's tally of 36 away goals was bettered by only two teams in the Championship, despite them winning just six times.

Josh Sargent to score anytime @ 9/5

Josh Sargent looks to be a key player for the Canaries this season and he can make his mark in the season opener, after an injury-ridden campaign last season.

The USA international made a cracking start to last season, scoring three goals in his first four games before an ankle problem then sidelined him until after Christmas.

Sargent still managed to register 16 goals in his 30 appearances and he is set to line up through the middle on Saturday.

There is still a sense of the unknown about how Oxford will cope with the step in class and Sargent offers plenty of value at 9/5 to find the back of the net at the Kassam.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 50% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

Betfred are running their famed Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven Pre-Match offer on this match, meaning that if a player scores first and then nets again, you will be paid at double the odds. If he grabs a hat-trick, you will be paid at treble the odds!

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