Bitesize Prediction: Norwich vs Sunderland – 02/03/24

Competition: Championship

Market: Norwich win

Odds: 12/11 @ 1xBet

Looking to extend on their play-off charge this weekend, Norwich will welcome Sunderland to Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, while Norwich might have opened the New Year tipped as a real play-off outsiders, David Wagner’s men are in the midst of a real Championship flurry. Continuing to impress and with the mood around Carrow Road at a real high, the former Huddersfield boss now has his sights firmly set on finding a route into the top-six. Unbeaten in all of their previous five second-tier appearances and losing just a pair of their 12 showdowns since opening 2024, the Canaries will certainly be looking to make another statement here. With their recent purple patch underlined by a 4-1 romp against Cardiff on February 17th, Norwich have also gained a real reputation for their extended success on home soil. In fact, along with a 2-1 win against West Brom last month, Wagner’s side have won all of their previous four contests at Carrow Road by an aggregate score of 12-3. It should also be noted, Saturday’s hosts have not suffered a single Championship defeat in front of their own supporters since returning from November’s international break.

As for the visitors, shockingly parting ways with Michael Beale a fortnight ago, Sunderland find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Now facing a real uphill battle in their bid to claim a play-off ticket in 2024, the Black Cats have lost all of their previous three Championship appearances and it appears that interim boss Mike Dodds has a real job on his hands. With a frustrated atmosphere around the Stadium of Light, Saturday’s guests have also continued to show some glaring issues on the road. Last seen on their travels suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Birmingham, Sunderland have collected just a pair of points from any of their previous five Championship away fixtures. It should also be highlighted, the Black Cats have claimed just a single victory from any of their last 12 showdowns away from the Stadium of Light – a run that stems all the way back to September 29th. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, we are predicting a home victory here.

Bet: Norwich 12/11 to beat Sunderland in Saturday’s Championship contest @ 1xBet