Norwich City v Oxford United: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

Norwich City will hope to maintain their playoff push in the Championship on Friday night when they host struggling Oxford United at Carrow Road.

With 11 games left to go, there is an urgent need for 11th-placed Norwich to start piling up the wins.

And they are usually more effective at their Norfolk base, where they have amassed 30 of their 48-point tally.

While Norwich holds out hope of reaching the top flight, Oxford are simply focused on avoiding an immediate return to League One.

Gary Rowett’s side lost 3-2 at home to Coventry last weekend and will be hoping for a better outcome against another of the playoff contenders.

Norwich City v Oxford United free betting tips and predictions

Norwich and both teams to score - 13/5

Norwich have lacked consistency in their quest for promotion but they triumphed 4-2 at home to Stoke in their last home match and should see off another struggling side when locking horns with 18th-placed Oxford.

Over recent years Norwich has grown accustomed to either striving for promotion from the Championship or struggling in the Premier League.

But their status as second tier big hitters has taken a few knocks this term with only 12 wins recorded across 35 league matches.

Despite their ordinary performance the Canaries are not out of the promotion running.

They sit four points outside of the top six and would have been a bit closer had they not conceded an injury-time goal in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Blackburn.

Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side are the league’s second-highest scorers with 56 goals and their potency has increased since star striker Josh Sargent’s January return from injury.

The Canaries have scored 13 goals in their last seven matches, with Sargent contributing seven of them.

Sloppy defending has been Norwich’s Achilles heel and explains why they haven’t broken into the top six at any point of the season.

Only five clean sheets have been kept and a shutout may elude them against Oxford, who possess plenty of pace in the attacking third.

United were involved in a thrilling 3-2 loss at home to Coventry last Saturday when they twice came from behind before succumbing to their in-form opponents.

Oxford had started the year in impressive fashion, and by the end of January, they were only eight points adrift of the playoffs.

However, the defeat to the Sky Blues was their third in a row and it leaves them looking nervously looking over their shoulders.

Rowett’s side will be desperate to stop the rot, but they defended poorly last weekend and may struggle to avoid another high-scoring loss.

Josh Sargent to score the first goal - 4/1

Sargent has endured an injury-interrupted campaign, but he has contributed 11 goals from 21 appearances and looks the man most likely to break the deadlock against relegation-threatened Oxford.

There was some pre-season transfer speculation surrounding Sargent, who was Norwich’s top scorer last term with 16 goals.

But Norwich held onto the American, who looks like an absolutely key figure in their challenge for a playoff spot.

The 25-year-old started the scoring in three of Norwich’s last seven games and he looks an attractive 4/1 shot to do likewise in Friday’s clash which looks like a must-win for the home side.

Cameron Brannagan to be carded - 5/2

Combative midfielder Cameron Brannagan has been a key player for Oxford over recent seasons but he often treads a fine line with referees.

The 28-year-old has collected eight yellow cards this season, including six in his last eight appearances.

Another caution could be incoming at Carrow Road.

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Norwich City v Oxford United odds

Norwich City - 4/7
Draw - 3/1
Oxford United - 9/2

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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.