Norwich City vs Blackburn Rovers Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast | EFL Championship 2024-25

The Canaries begin their quest to get back to the English top flight against The Riversiders.

The 2021-22 season marked a low point for Norwich City, who finished last in the Premier League and were relegated to the Championship. Over the next two seasons, they struggled to reclaim their place in the top flight, battling mid-table mediocrity in 2022-23. Last season, Norwich showed renewed determination, fighting to climb the Championship standings, but inconsistent performances left them sixth, agonizingly close to the top four.

Determined to return to the Premier League, Norwich City FC are aiming to make a strong statement this season. Their pre-season campaign started promisingly with a 3-0 win over Northampton, but momentum faltered with a winless stretch against teams like Club Brugge and Standard Liege. Despite the setbacks, Norwich bounced back with an exciting 4-3 victory over Stevenage in the EFL Cup, showing their resilience.

Blackburn Rovers, on the other hand, have been absent from the Premier League for seven long years. Last season, they finished 19th in the Championship with 53 points from 46 matches. This time around, Blackburn are determined to change their fortunes and push for promotion. Their pre-season form has been impressive, with victories over Stockport, Derby County, and Accrington Stanley. They carried that momentum into their Championship opener with a 4-2 win over Derby County, setting the tone for a more successful campaign.

As they prepare to face a determined Norwich City side, Blackburn will be keen to maintain their winning streak and continue making a strong push for promotion. Norwich’s recent victory over Stevenage in the EFL Cup offers a confidence boost, but their stumble against Oxford United in their Championship opener leaves room for Blackburn to exploit.

Both Norwich and Blackburn are driven by the same goal—returning to the Premier League. This clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams vie for crucial points in their quest for promotion. Fans can expect an intense battle at Carrow Road, with Norwich hosting Blackburn Rovers in their second Championship match of the season, and both sides eager to build momentum for the long road ahead.

In the 🎩 for round two!We'll see you again on Saturday, Yellows 💛 pic.twitter.com/QGffaOESBX

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) August 13, 2024

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 17 August 2024 at 7:30 PM IST

Location: Carrow Road, Norwich, United Kingdom

Form:

Norwich (in all competitions): W-L-L-D-L

Blackburn Rovers (in all competitions): W-W-W-D-D

Players to watch:

Abu Kamara (Norwich)

Abu Bakr Kamara, a 21-year-old centre-forward from Lambeth, England, has been a rising star within Norwich City‘s ranks since joining their Youth Academy at the age of ten. His consistent and impressive performances earned him a senior team contract in 2023. Kamara was subsequently loaned out to Portsmouth last season, where he made 46 appearances and netted eight goals, showcasing his potential even as a loanee.

Kamara made his debut for England’s U20 side in a 2-1 victory over Sweden. Known for his relentless work ethic and tireless running, Kamara is always willing to cover every inch of the pitch and never hesitates to take his chances in front of goal. Standing at six feet tall, the English striker could very well be the Canaries’ trump card as they aim for promotion back to the Premier League.

Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers)

Ryan Peter Hedges, the 29-year-old winger from Northampton, began his footballing journey with Flint Town United, where he made 24 appearances and scored two goals before moving to Swansea City. Although his time at Swansea included loan spells at Leyton Orient, Stevenage, and Yeovil Town, it was at Barnsley, where he made 52 appearances, that Hedges began to make a significant impact. His consistent performances caught the attention of Aberdeen, where he played 66 matches and further solidified his reputation as a dynamic winger.

In 2022, Hedges earned a move to Blackburn Rovers, where he scored his debut goal in a 2-0 victory over Watford. Notably, he was part of the Barnsley team that finished runners-up in the EFL League One campaign during the 2018-19 season. Now, with Blackburn Rovers hungry for wins and determined to secure promotion to the Premier League, Hedges is expected to play a pivotal role in their pursuit of dominance in the Championship this season. His experience, pace, and creativity will be vital as Blackburn strives to return to the top tier of English football.

Match facts:

• Blackburn won three of their last five matches.
• Norwich won a solitary game in their last five matches.
• Norwich are coming after defeating Stevenage in their previous fixture.

Norwich vs Blackburn: Betting Tips and Odds

• Tip 1 – Blackburn to win the match: 13/5 with William Hill
• Tip 2 – Ryan Hedges to score: 11/2 with Bet 365
• Tip 3 – Goals over 1.5: 1/4 with Bet 365

Injury and team news:

Johannes Hoff will have the luxury to pick his best combination of players from a fully fit and available side.Blackburn Rovers are also immune from all sorts of injuries and fitness concerns.

Head to head

• Total matches: 52
• Norwich won: 16
• Blackburn won: 22
• Match drawn: 14

Predicted lineup:

Norwich predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Gunn (GK); Stacey, Hanley, Duffy, Doyle; Nunez, McLean, Gibbs; Kamara, Sargent, Sainz

Blackburn predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Pears (GK); Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Tronstad; Rankin-Costello, Dolan, Hedges; Szmodics

Match prediction for Norwich vs Blackburn:

Norwich and Blackburn are equally competitive and capable of getting the better of each other. Looking at Blackburn’s hunger to win and their recent form, we expect them to get past Norwich by a slender margin.

Predictions: Norwich 1-2 Blackburn

Telecast for Norwich vs Blackburn:

India: Fancode

USA: Paramount+

UK: SkySports

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