Norwich vs Watford predictions: Carrow Road clash to end all-square
- Norwich have drawn their last five Championship home games
- Watford have lost only one of their five league matches this season
- Recommended bet: Draw
Norwich made the Championship play-offs last season but the Canaries are struggling to match those expectations in the early stages of the new campaign.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side have taken only five points from as many matches and they will be looking to respond to last weekend’s limp 1-0 loss away at Swansea.
The Canaries are still adjusting to life following the departures of Gabriel Sara and Jonathan Rowe, who were two of their most important attacking assets last season.
Watford, on the other hand, have racked up 10 points from their first five matches, recording wins in their opening three assignments over Milwall, Stoke and Derby.
The Hornets’ progress has since stalled following a 1-0 loss at Sheffield United and a 1-1 draw with Coventry, but they have less to prove than the underperforming hosts and are capable of picking up another positive result.
Team news
The Canaries remain without experienced striker Ashley Barnes, Swiss midfielder Christian Fassnacht and Denmark international Jacob Lungi Sorensen.
Watford must manage without Moroccan midfielder Imran Louza, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Kevin Keben and Jeremy Ngakia for the trip to Norfolk.
The stats
Norwich have won only one of their opening five Championship matches.
However, the Canaries are unbeaten in 18 Championship home games, with their last five matches at Carrow Road ending in draws.
Watford have lost only one of their first five Championship outings, but they have kept only one clean sheet in that period.
Watford have beaten Norwich by a single goal in five of the last six Championship clashes.
Both teams have scored in five of Norwich's last six Championship home games.
Four of Watford's last six Championship away games have ended with over 2.5 goals.
Prediction
Norwich are still adjusting to the methods of manager Johannes Hoff Thorup, who completed a move from Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjaelland in the summer, and they may have to settle for a point at home to fast-starting Watford.
The Canaries opted to head in a different direction after last season’s play-off heartbreak and, as a result of a number of arrivals and departures, they have started slowly with only five points from as many matches.
Norwich have drawn their opening two home league games with Blackburn and Sheffield United and it could be a similar scenario against Watford, who sit fifth following three wins, one draw and one defeat.
The Hornets are looking like a pretty cohesive outfit under manager Tom Cleverley and they have lost only once in seven matches in all competitions this season, so can be confident of claiming a point at Carrow Road.
Watford drew 1-1 with Coventry in the Championship last time out and this may be another closely-fought encounter for them.
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