Watford v Norwich City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Watford and Norwich City will meet at Vicarage Road in the Championship on Saturday with both teams sitting on the fringes of the play-off positions.

The Hornets have been in and around the top six for much of the season, but a run of one win in seven league games has seen them slip three points off the play-off places, while also increasing speculation over the future of head coach Tom Cleverley.

Norwich are two points worse off than Watford and snapped their own recent losing streak by thrashing Swansea City 5-1 last time out, although that victory came on home turf at Carrow Road, with their away record still leaving a lot to be desired.

Watford v Norwich City betting tips and predictions

Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score - 11/10

Watford and Norwich were relegated from the Premier League together in 2022 and both have work to do if they are to mount serious challenges for a return to the top-flight this season.

Things seemed to be going well for Watford throughout the autumn, but the winter chill has coincided with an alarming dip in form that has seen them win just three of 12 league games since the end of November.

Given the reputation the club's owners - the Pozzo family - have for firing managers, that poor run has led to increased speculation over head coach Cleverley's future, although with fans still behind the former Manchester United star, his position appears safe for now.

Cleverley has made alterations to his backroom staff in the build-up to this game in a bid to turn fortunes around, but he perhaps needs to make similar changes to a defence that has kept just one clean sheet in 12 across all competitions.

At the other end, the Hornets are continuing to score freely, netting in 12 matches on the bounce, with nine of their last 11 games featuring at least three goals in total.

Norwich also tend to be free-scoring, as emphasised by their 5-1 win over Swansea, a result made all the more impressive as they remain without the Championship's leading scorer, Borja Sainz, through suspension.

Johannes Hoff Thorup's side have done most of their scoring on home soil - with 36 of their 48 league goals being netted at Carrow Road - but they have scored in recent fixtures at Luton Town and promotion chasing Sunderland.

Three of the Canaries' last five games in league and cup have gone over the 2.5 goal mark and, with a result difficult to call in this game, backing both teams to find the back of the net in a contest featuring at least three goals could be the way to go.

Josh Sargent to score at any time - 9/4

For two seasons in a row Josh Sargent has finished as Norwich's leading scorer, but his thunder has been stolen somewhat this term by Sainz, while a groin injury picked up at the end of October has not helped the American's cause.

Sargent underwent surgery to fix that issue that sidelined him for over two months and, after initially feeling his way back into action, he underlined his quality with a brace against the Swans last weekend.

That took the 24-year-old's goal tally for the season to six in just 15 Championship appearances and he should continue to lead the line at Vicarage Road against Watford, with Sainz remaining unavailable for selection.

Vicarage Road has been happy hunting ground for Sargent in the past, as he has scored a combined three goals across his two previous appearances at the venue.

The American also scored in Norwich's 4-2 win over the Hornets at Carrow Road last season and he is likely to provide the visitors' main goal threat on Saturday.

Giorgi Chakvetadze over 2.5 shots - 10/11

Georgia international Giorgi Chakvetadze is one of the main creative sparks within the Watford squad and he is certainly not afraid to fire shots towards goal.

No Hornets player has had more shots this season in the Championship than Chakvetadze's total of 48 and after a relatively lean spell, the 25-year-old returned to type at Coventry last weekend, firing off two efforts.

As one of Watford's main set-piece takers - both from corners and free kicks - Chakvetadze is always likely to pop up with plenty of efforts either from dead balls or open play.

The former Gent star managed four shots - all off target - in the reverse meeting with Norwich at Carrow Road back in September and he is capable of at least three more against the same opponents on Saturday.

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Watford v Norwich City odds

Watford - 31/20
Draw - 12/5
Norwich City - 17/10

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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.