Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Two clubs well-acquainted with Premier League will clash in the opening stages of the Championship. Both teams lost in the previous round and now they are eager to win, so this won’t likely be a closed game.
Norwich
Norwich started the season badly. They managed to lose to Oxford United (0:2), who have returned to the second tier of English football after 25 years. Victory was certainly not deserved: Norwich had fewer shots (10-12 on shots, 2-4 shots on target, xG 0.83-0.91). Blackburn Rovers also punished them with two goals (2:2). Even in the League Cup, Stevenage from League One scored three times against them (4:3). The season is tough so far, and there's the potential departure of their 21-year-old star Jonathan Rowe to Marseille. The Norwich academy product scored 12 goals last season despite an injury at the end. He likely won't play for Norwich again, which will further impact their attacking capabilities.
Sheffield United
Sheffield United knows how to make the most of their chances and even more: against Preston, they scored twice from three shots on target, and against QPR, they netted two goals with 1.71xG, again from three shots on target. Notably, Sheffield United’s attacking threat often comes from the right flank. Meanwhile, Norwich have problems with left-side defence, conceding a goal from that area in both of the first two rounds.
Norwich - Sheffield United Prediction
In their last four matches at Carrow Road, Sheffield United have been unbeaten and regularly found the net (+3=1, 7:4). We believe Norwich’s current form won’t allow them to win, and the visitors will have plenty of clear chances to score.
