On Saturday night, it’s a battle of the yo-yo clubs as Watford host one of their fellow relegated sides in Norwich City. Despite these clubs earning the reputation as yo-yo clubs due to multiple promotions and relegations, the hosts tonight are 14th and look to be struggling to bounce back this time. With another managerial change seeing Rob Edwards depart, the Bilic era has seen a 4-0 win at Stoke and defeats to Swansea (2-1) and Blackpool 3-1.
The visitors are tied for top of the league, only trailing Sheffield United on goal difference. Although many people tipped Norwich to struggle in comparison to previous years in this league, they have excelled yet again mainly relying on the talents of Pukki and Sargent which Dean Smith has been able to incorporate together.
With the sky cameras on a fixture that had red cards and scorpion kick goals last year, this is sure to be another entertaining spectacle and therefore ideal for a Saturday Night Bet Builder accompanied by a cheat sheet.
Watford v Norwich Bet Builder Tips
Both Teams to Score
To kickstart our bet builder, I’m taking both of these high powered attacks to score on Saturday Night.
The Hornets lost the likes of Cucho Hernandez, Emmanuel Dennis and Josh King over summer but crucially retained Sarr and Pedro while adding Keinan Davis. A change of manager would usually disjoint an attack but after a 4 goal bloodbath in Stoke there was optimism at the Vic. Despite back to back losses the Hornets have scored in both these games meanwhile Norwich average a goal conceded per game.
I may be confident about Watford scoring, but Norwich to score at least once feels like a given. Watford are down to their bare bones at centre half and with a fully fit department last year they shipped 3 to the Canaries. Injuries to Sierralta, Hause, Kabasele and many more defensively leaves the home side with Craig Cathcart as their only fit recognised centre back. Josh Sargent scored his only goals last season in this fixture and with 7 to his name this season, he will fancy himself to score if his strike partner, Pukki, doesn’t.
BTTS has landed in 8 of 13 games for both sides this year, I wouldn’t bet against that become 9 of 14.
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Prediction: Both Teams to Score
Norwich Double Chance
I mentioned Watford’s wounded defensive department and the absentee list could only grow if Imran Louza is found guilty of spitting at Ryan Manning and earns a 6 game ban. The Moroccan midfielder is by far and away Watford’s best player and one of the best in the Championship so his absence would be heavily felt by the hosts. He is the key piece to this Watford system and they’re a far worse team without him, hence why Watford struggled under Edwards.
Even if Louza plays, I think this Norwich side of the Championship are too strong for the Hornets on their day. Recently, Watford had had the better of this fixture but after Norwich defied this hoodoo last year, they will be confident of building on that. Norwich lead the league in xG per game and xG per away game with 2.02 and 1.8 respectively. At the same time the Hornets ship 1.49 xGa at home this season, 4th highest.
Norwich’s attack really struggled to blend this season but with two clinical forward to dominate the centre halves, or centre half in Cathcart, they should have great success down the middle. The Canaries have scored in every game on the road this season since the first day while only allowing 2 goals to Hull. They should have enough possession and quality to see if the Hornets, but I’ll take the safety net of Double Chance.
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Prediction: Norwich Double Chance
Josh Sargent to Score or Assist
I have already mentioned Josh Sargent’s name a couple of times in this article, but the American has been one of Norwich’s form players in the Championship so far. It hasn’t always been plain sailing as a canary for Sargent, as he racked up 1700 minutes last year for just one brace and no other goal contributions. However, that brace did come against their opponents today courtesy of a spectacular scorpion kick goal.
In 1000 championship minutes, Sargent averages 0.6 goals per 90 and also has registered 2 assists in that time. Both his assists have demonstrated his physicality which should be a highly productive matchup against the left side of Watford’s defence who rely on the pace of Hassane Kamara. Furthermore if Sargent drifts inside, he will be up against a make shift centre half, possibly in the form of Choudhury who could be dragged forward to play in his preferred holding midfield role, giving Sargent space in behind to target.
Having watched Sargent and Norwich at Vicarage Road last season, he occupied some good positions which threatened the Watford back line, even before they went down to 10. His underlying numbers were excellent despite his output, but he’s now found his level and I expect him to add to his 9 goal contributions today.
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Prediction: Josh Sargent to Score or Assist
Norwich to have Over 4.5 Corners
Rounding off our bet builder, I’m taking the league leaders in corners won to have over 4.5, which is well under their average. The Canaries average 6.2 per game and I think the bookies have undervalued this bet purely because they are playing a relegated side in Watford, not taking into account the Hornets shambolic start and performances so far.
In terms of matchups, Hassane Kamara is an aggressive full back who excels in recovery tackles, not scared to give away corners and on the other side it appears Dan Gosling might get the nod out of position which will allow a Norwich winger to skin him down the by-line looking for a cutback. The Hornets have so many defensive injuries that Daniel Bachmann is bound to be called upon in this game, a keeper not known for holding onto the ball, more for acrobatic tips wide of the goal which should help this bet land comfortably.
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Prediction: Norwich to have Over 4.5 Corners
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How to watch Watford v Norwich City in the Championship
📅 When is Watford v Norwich City? / Saturday, 15th October 2022, 7:45PM
🏟 Where is Watford v Norwich City? / Vicarage Road (Watford)
📺 What TV channel is Watford v Norwich City on? / Sky Sports Football
🟨 …And who is the referee for Watford v Norwich City? / D. England 🏴
