Norwich City v Preston North End: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Qualifying for the Championship play-offs remains a realistic ambition for Norwich City, who are just two points outside the top six with 31 games played.

However, the Canaries were left frustrated by events at the weekend after conceding an injury-time goal in a 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Derby County.

Preston North End were involved in FA Cup fourth round weekend and were successful by drawing 0-0 at home to League One high-flyers Wycombe Wanderers and winning 4-2 on penalties.

The Lancashire side have had a solid Championship campaign and head to Norfolk in 15th place - eight points outside the play-offs and nine clear of the relegation zone.

Norwich City vs Preston North End betting tips and predictions

Preston or draw double chance - 21/20

Preston have lost just three of 15 Championship games since the November international break and they look overpriced 21/20 shots to take at least a point against play-off-chasing Norwich.

Recent trips to Norfolk have been fairly positive for the Lilywhites, who have picked up two draws and a victory from their last three assignments at Carrow Road.

And they should approach the midweek fixture with a spring in their step after advancing to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2015.

North End got off to a slow start in the league and have not been higher than 14th at any point in the campaign.

However, they have performed well since Christmas Day, taking 14 points from the last eight matches and remain hopeful of forcing their way into the top half.

Norwich are aiming to reach the play-offs for a second successful season and have been boosted by the recent return from injury of star forward Josh Sargent.

The Canaries were without the USA international from the end of October to mid-January and struggled to find any consistency in terms of performances and results.

However, Sargent has looked sharp on his return to the side and approaches the Preston game with confidence having scored four goals in his last three appearances.

Norwich’s problem is that the rest of their attackers seem to have gone off the boil and their defence looks far from secure.

They were pegged back in the closing stages of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Derby and could drop more points against Preston, who are likely to provide stiffer opposition.

Under 2.5 goals - 8/11

Preston have conceded only six goals in their last seven fixtures and their disciplined defence can contribute to a low-scoring outcome against a City side facing an ongoing struggle for consistency.

Being hard to beat is a priority for North End, who have drawn 13 of 30 second tier matches.

And it may be far from simple for the hosts to find a way past the Lilywhites’ backline.

Norwich were free-flowing earlier in the season, but four of their last five games have generated less than three goals and the recent low-scoring trend looks set to continue here.

Ryan Porteous to be carded - 7/5

Preston have a few defensive injuries to contend with, but Watford loan signing Ryan Porteous is ready to come into the side.

Scotland international Porteous is a pacy defender, but he can overstep the mark in terms of his tackling and looks a solid 7/5 shot for a Carrow Road caution.

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Norwich City vs Preston North End odds

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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.