Norwich v Cardiff: Goals forecast as Canaries and Bluebirds collide

Norwich v Cardiff
Saturday December 19, 12:30
Sky Sports

Norwich preserve top spot

Norwich returned to the top of the Championship table with a deserved 2-1 win at Reading on Wednesday night. Emi Buendia gave the visitors an early lead after latching on to Andy Rinomhota's loose pass across his own goal 20 yards out, but the Royals were soon level when Rinomhota inadvertently diverted in team-mate Ovie Ejaria's effort from 15 yards.

Teemu Pukki put the Canaries back in front after the break from the penalty spot after Max Aarons was felled in the area. Substitute Kieran Dowell's deflected effort came back off the post as Daniel Farke's troops came close to a third, before Reading forced an excellent diving save from Norwich goalkeeper Michael McGovern in time added on.

A fourth successive Championship victory ensures Farke's side are three points clear of the chasing pack with the Norwich boss pleased with his team's display, saying: "We had to be fully switched on in every moment. I thought it was a well-deserved win. We controlled almost every minute. Apart from the goal we didn't give anything away."

Cardiff bounce back

Cardiff bounced back from their disappointing weekend derby defeat with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Birmingham in the Welsh capital on Wednesday evening. Sean Morrison's towering last minute header secured top honours to push the Bluebirds into the top-half of the table, marking City's fifth league success in their last six encounters.

Robert Glatzel had fired Cardiff into an early lead after some terrible Blues defending, but the visitors equalised after some ponderous play from the Bluebirds. A sole strike put Birmingham ahead before Glatzel saw a penalty saved; but Harry Wilson levelled from an acute angle before Morrison headed home Wilson's corner to pinch the points.

Injury and suspension forced Neil Harris' hand with Kieffer Moore and Joe Ralls unavailable. Glatzel and Marlon Pack came into the XI with Wilson operating in the 10 role, and Harris was chuffed with his team's efforts, saying: "I am delighted for the players, they've dealt with a lot of criticism for losing to Swansea, but they reacted superbly."

Canaries firm favourites

Previous meetings between Norwich and Cardiff have been close and competitive affairs. The Bluebirds enjoyed home and away victories when the duo last crossed swords in league action back in 2017/18, although the pair have shared a W6-D3-L6 record across their past 15 match-ups. The Canaries have W3-D2-L1 at Carrow Road in that 15-game sample.

Norwich 2.0621/20 took time to find their range but since October's international break the Canaries have been flying despite enduring a significant injury crisis at times too. Daniel Farke's team have taken 36 points from a possible 45 (W11-D3-L1) to move three points clear at the summit heading into MD20. As hosts, City have posted W5-D3-L1 this term.

Cardiff 3.8514/5 were languishing in the bottom-half and questions were being asked about Neil Harris' last month but the Bluebirds have motored into top-six contention on the back of five wins in their past six outings. Watford and Stoke have both been downed on the road in that streak with Neil Harris's outfit enjoying a reasonable W4-D3-L2 away day record.

Goals forecast for Carrow Road

Norwich have only failed to score in three of their 19 encounters since returning to the second-tier and the Canaries have been involved in the Championship's most Both Teams To Score matches thus far. A healthy 12/19 (63%) of the hosts' games have seen goals and both ends and a repeat can be supported at 1.758/11 in Saturday's early kick-off.

Cardiff haven't proven quite so fruitful in the same market. However, the Bluebirds have breached their opponents backline in all bar five of their 19 tussles this term and should be encouraged by the fact that the bottom-four teams in the division have each managed to score at Carrow Road.

Considering BTTS has paid out in each of Norwich's most recent seven games, I'm happy to support a repeat on Saturday at 1.758/11 quotes.