Preston vs Norwich Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Norwich have been the great enigma of this Championship season. At times they’ve played some excellent football, a cut above what most teams in this league are capable of. However at times, particularly away from home, they’ve been very poor and the value here certainly looks to be with Preston.

The Canaries last two games perhaps sum their season up. Six 1st Half Goals and a crushing 7-1 win against high-flying Reading was immediately followed up by a 3-1 home defeat against 10 man Fulham. That result means they can no longer reach the play-offs and without a permanent manager at the helm, their players don’t even really have the incentive of trying to prove their worth ahead of next season.

Therefore, motivation could be an issue here and they won’t exactly travel to Lancashire with much confidence, given their away record this season. 57% of their away games have ended in defeat and they average just 0.81 points per game on the road. A woeful defensive record of 2.o5 goals per game conceded away from Carrow Road is the main reason for that.

Preston are very well equipped to take advantage of Norwich’s defensive issues. They hit 5 in their most recent home game against Bristol City and have been scoring for fun at Deepdale of late. Preston have scored 1.81 goals per home game this season which is very good indeed. Their 8 home league games in 2017 have produced 6 wins and 2 draws so Deepdale has become a real fortress and it’s hard to understand why they aren’t much clearer favourites to win this match.

One of their real bright sparks since the turn of the year has been Tom Barkhuizen. The January signing from Morecambe has taken to Championship football like a duck to water and with 6 goals in his last 8 games, backing Barkhuizen to score anytime at 2/1 could be worth a punt.

Overall given Preston’s strong home record and Norwich’s poor away form, backing Preston Draw No Bet at 4/5 also looks to offer great value.