Derby County v Norwich City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Adjusting to life back in the Championship has gone fairly smoothly for Derby County, who are in tenth place after six games.

However, the Rams have heavily relied on their home form and approach the visit of Norwich City with the aim of registering an 11th successive win in front of their home supporters.

The Canaries are recovering from a slow start. Johannes Thorup’s side took just two points from their opening three games, but have won two of their last three and head to Derby with plenty of confidence.

Derby County v Norwich City betting tips and predictions

Norwich to win - 11/8

Derby have reeled off 11 straight victories at Pride Park Stadium, including three at the start of the Championship season, but their fortress could be breached by an improving Norwich side this weekend.

Second tier consolidation is the main aim for County this season and they have got off to a decent start by taking nine points from their first six games.

However, scratch beneath the surface and there are a few areas for concern because the Rams have been having to work incredibly hard and there have been a few occasions when luck has been on their side.

Paul Warne’s side are 20th in the division’s shot count statistics with 56 and joint fifth in terms of shots faced (83).

Their average possession (38 per cent) is the lowest in the league and, while defending deep is something they are pretty good at, it does demand a lot of concentration and discipline from the players.

Derby have been happy to rely on set pieces and counter-attacks and that has worked for them in home games because they have had a knack of scoring the first goal.

However, a fast start may be tough to achieve against Norwich, who have bagged the opening goal in three of their last four Championship matches.

The Canaries flew out of the blocks in last Saturday’s 4-1 victory at home to Watford and hit the front after just three minutes thanks to a goal from on-loan Manchester City defender Callum Doyle.

Watford had their moments in an entertaining game, but Norwich were worthy winners and the result and performance suggest that they are adjusting nicely to the methods of their attack-minded manager Thorup.

Norwich’s triumph over the Hornets lifted them into the top half for the first time this season.

However, their overall aim is to improve on last season’s sixth-place finish and they can boost their promotion hopes by becoming the first away side to win at Pride Park since Charlton’s 2-1 League One triumph over seven months ago.

Josh Sargent to score any time - 12/5

Norwich were busy in the summer transfer market, but their best move of the window was keeping star striker Josh Sargent at the club.

Sargent endured an injury-interrupted season last term but still notched 16 goals in 26 Championship appearances.

The American is as good a finisher as anyone in the second tier and looks a tempting 12/5 shot to net against Derby.

Ebou Adams to be booked - 12/5

Derby’s defensive tactics demand a lot of work from their midfield, including energetic Gambia international Ebou Adams, who enjoys the grittier side of the game.

Adams has received two yellow cards in his last four Championship appearances and makes plenty of appeal at 12/5 to collect a caution on Saturday.

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Derby County v Norwich City odds

Derby County - 7/4
Draw - 13/5
Norwich City - 11/8

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.