Oxford v Norwich: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Oxford secured promotion via the League One play-offs last season, marking their second-tier return after 25 years away and they will be hoping to get off to a strong start in front of their own fans against Norwich.

Despite finishing fifth and some 20 points behind champions Portsmouth, the U's defeated Bolton 2-0 at Wembley to seal promotion from League One, but Des Buckingham has a tough task on his hands to secure their survival.

There would have been easier starting points than a visit from Norwich, who finished sixth in the Championship last season before losing 4-0 on aggregate in their playoff semi-final showdown with Leeds.

It was a solid season for the Canaries, but they have opted for a change in direction with manager Johannes Hoff Thorup appointed as David Wagner’s replacement.

City have lost a couple of key players, none more so than last season’s talisman Gabriel Sara, but plenty of quality remains and they should be able to showcase their talents at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford v Norwich betting tips and predictions

Norwich to win - 5/4

Norwich had a poor away record last season, winning only six of their 23 away league games, but they have to be targeting maximum points at newly-promoted Oxford.

Thorup has vowed to bring an attacking brand of football with him from Nordsjaelland and he is a young manager who will feel he has plenty to prove.

A fast start will help win supporters over and the pressure will be on given Norwich finished sixth last season and made the play-offs.

The Dane’s challenge has been made harder by his star man Sara jumping ship to Galatasaray, while attack-minded midfielder Jonathan Rowe has also had plenty of interest from Leeds, making him a likely departee.

However, plenty of quality remains through Josh Sargent, Borja Sainz, Ashley Barnes and Christian Fassnacht and they may still have a class edge on Oxford.

The U’s, in the Championship for the first time for 25 years, are surely going to need time to adapt to their surroundings and while they have recruited well, there may still be a shortage of firepower.

Top scorer Mark Harris struggled when last in the Championship with Cardiff, while influential midfielders Cameron Brannagan and Ruben Rodrigues have never played at this level.

Oxford seemed pretty fortunate to come through the play-offs given they finished 20 points behind title winners Portsmouth and 15 behind second-placed Derby.

Even in League One last season, Oxford won only five of their final 13 home league games and they may struggle to put Norwich to the sword. The Canaries, at 5/4, must represent some value.

Josh Sargent anytime goalscorer - 21/10

With Sara having departed and Rowe seemingly set to follow, Sargent could be vital for Norwich at the Kassam Stadium.

Adam Idah, who netted eight goals in 15 appearances while on loan with Celtic last season, missed a pre-season tour of Austria due to disciplinary issues and is another unlikely starter, which bolsters Sargent’s goalscoring claims.

The American international had last season disrupted by injury, but he still finished as Norwich’s leading scorer with 16 goals in 30 appearances, averaging a strike every 129 minutes.

That form has had plenty of clubs lurking around the 24-year-old, but he looks set to stay put at Carrow Road for the time being and the Oxford backline are going to have a tough time keeping his involvement down to a minimum.

He is 11/2 to open the scoring, but the 21/10 about him scoring at any time looks a safer approach, especially given this could turn into quite an entertaining affair.

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Oxford v Norwich odds

Oxford - 19/10
Norwich - 5/4
Draw - 13/5

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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.