Norwich v Middlesbrough: Canaries continue to fly high

Norwich v Middlesbrough
Saturday January 30, 12:30
Sky Sports

Norwich fail to fire in FA Cup

Championship table-toppers Norwich were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage by an energetic Barnsley side at Oakwell last weekend. Daniel Farke made five changes from the side that beat Bristol City, with Lukas Rupp, Kieran Dowell and Przemek Placheta returning to the XI, whilst Onel Hernandez started his first game since October.

But the Canaries produced a largely toothless display, failing to record a single shot on-target with Callum Styles' second-half strike enough to ensure the impressive Tykes progressed. Placheta did see an effort rebound off the bar, and Styles made a goal-saving block to deny Emi Buendia, although City largely failed to get to grips with an intense press.

Norwich saw striker Jordan Hugill limp off after an hour and so are hoping that Teemu Pukki or Adam Idah might be fit enough to feature after re-joining training this week following their own injury issues with academy prospect Tyrese Omotoye the only other fit and available forward for Farke. Elsewhere, Todd Cantwell is tipped to return to the team.

Injury-hit Middlesbrough turned over

Middlesbrough fell to a third successive home defeat on Wednesday night as Neil Warnock's injury-hit outfit were comfortably beaten 3-0 by struggling Rotherham at the Riverside Stadium. The visitors started the contest the stronger and Matt Crooks atoned for a big miss by slotting the Millers ahead from 20 yards just before the half-time interval.

Boro had opportunities of their own - Sam Morsy was given a gilt-edged chance to level, teed up by Duncan Watmore's thrilling run, but side-footed straight at the goalkeeper, whilst Britt Assombalonga curled an early effort past the post. But Rotherham were ruthless on the counter-attack and compounded the Teessiders misery with two late strikes.

Warnock refused to criticise his players post-match with numbers depleted by key injuries. Middlesbrough missed the presence and dominance of Dael Fry at the back and without Anfernee Dijksteel, Marcus Tavernier or Marcus Browne, the hosts found the going tough against a physical Rotherham outfit. New signing Yannick Bolasie should be involved here.

Canaries firm and fair favourites

Norwich have enjoyed supremacy in this showdown in recent seasons, earning six successive victories over Middlesbrough. Remarkably, the Canaries have sealed a 1-0 success in each of their most recent five fixtures against Boro, including the reverse at the Riverside back in November. A repeat of the correct score is available at 7.4013/2 on Saturday.

Norwich 1.9310/11 collected only four points from their first 12 on offer (W1-D1-L2) as the Canaries took time find their range. But since October's international break, Daniel Farke's team have been in ruthless form, earning 49 points from a possible 63 (W15-D4-L2) to move into pole position for automatic promotion. At Carrow Road, City have W8-D4-L1 this term.

Middlesbrough's 4.2016/5 play-off aspirations have cooled since Christmas with Boro beaten in four of their past six league matches. Boro have lost eight of their last 15 league outings since November's international break with injuries also hampering progress for the Teessiders. Exclude the bottom-six and the visitors have posted W1-D4-L4 on the road.

City backed to continue fine form

League leaders Norwich have notched in 21 of their 25 outings since demotion, although high-scoring encounters have still tended to be relatively rare, particularly at Carrow Road. Just four (31%) of the Canaries home outings have paid out for Over 2.5 Goals 1.9520/21 backers, whilst 14 of their 16 Championship wins have arrived alongside Under 3.5 Goals.

Middlesbrough have managed only two shutouts in 13 league matches since late November, none of which were achieved on Boro's travels, while the guests have scored a solitary goal in six away days at fellow top-half teams this term. Meanwhile, eight of the Reds' nine Championship losses have alongside Under 3.5 Goals.

With that in mind, I'm happy to delve into the Same Game Multi market and support a Norwich success alongside Under 3.5 Goals for an attractive 2.38 play on the Betfair Sportsbook.