Norwich v Sunderland Tips: Carrow Road clash to feature goals galore

Mark O'Haire
11 March 2023
3 min read

Norwich have scored 3+ goals in five of nine games under David Wagner

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Promotion-chasing Norwich welcome out-of-form Sunderland to Carrow Road for Sunday afternoon's live Championship encounter. Betfair writer Mark O'Haire is expecting a strong performance from the Canaries...

Norwich have kept just four home clean sheets
Sunderland have scored in 16/18 away days
Both Teams To Score appeals at the prices

Norwich impress at The Den

Norwich continued their impressive rejuvenation under David Wagner last weekend when the Canaries ran out eye-catching 3-2 winners in a thrilling encounter at fellow top-six contenders Millwall. Goals from Jacob Sorensen and Gabriel Sara helped City back into the play-off places as the Yellows bagged a third successive Championship triumph.

After falling behind, a clever set-piece routine saw Sorensen finish tidily to level for Norwich before the half-time interval. Ten minutes after the break, the game had been turned on its head when Onel Hernandez's low cross was diverted home, and the Canaries third featured a fantastic spin and finish from Sara, who impressed throughout for the visiting side.

Millwall did make things interesting when reducing the deficit in the dying embers but Wagner was delighted to depart The Den with top honours. The Norwich chief hailed the complete performance from his players and has demanded more of the same as the Canaries prepare for the final quarter of the campaign.

Wagner said: "It's a massive win. Psychologically another important win and in the manner we achieved it away against a good side is very pleasing. We played good football, and in difficult circumstances we created good opportunities and scored wonderful goals. Then we brought it over the line with this commitment, attitude, fighting spirit and togetherness."

Sunderland humilated at the SoL

Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray apologised to supporters after they saw his side 'at their worst' as they fell apart in the second half against Stoke last Saturday. The Black Cats were crushed 5-1 at the Stadium of Light - equalling the Wearsiders' heaviest-ever defeat at the venue with thousands of the 43,000 fans heading for the exits long before full-time.

Mowbray said, "It's hard to take, it's hard for the supporters, for the club. It was difficult to forsee, because this team hasn't lost a game by more than two goals since I've been here. I was really frustrated with our lack of bravery. In recent games we have struggled to score enough goals to win games we have dominated; today I didn't feel we dominated enough."

Josh Laurent put the Potters in front five minutes before half-time, but the real damage was done after the break. Tyrese Campbell scored twice in five minutes before the hour, Alex Pritchard briefly reduced the arrears to 3-1, but Dwight Gayle added two more goals to complete the rout.

Mowbray is expected to make changes for Sunday's trip but top goalscorer Ross Stewart remains absent through injury, along with Elliot Embleton, Niall Huggins, and captain Corry Evans. However, Lynden Gooch is set to return to the squad this weekend and there's hope that Dennis Cirkin will also be available again following concussion.

Canaries firm and fair favourites

Matches between Norwich and Sunderland have tended to be well-contested affairs this century with the Canaries edging the head-to-head count W7-D3-L5, as well as bagging a 1-0 success in the reverse clash back in August. City have W7-D3-L2 at Carrow Road against the Black Cats since 1985 yet have lost successive home games versus the Wearsiders.

Norwich 1.9110/11 have posted W6-D1-L2 since David Wagner took charge at the start of January, a sample that includes three consecutive home victories after losing here to runaway leaders Burnley. The Canaries have scored at least three goals in five of those nine fixtures under Wagner and have posted W4-D1-L0 over their most recent five outings.

Three successive league losses Sunderland 4.407/2 has seen the Black Cats top-six Championship hopes fade with the Wearsiders allowing 26 shots from inside the penalty across their last two losses against Coventry and Stoke. Tony Mowbray's team are winless on their travels at top-10 opposition (W0-D3-L4) and now sit six points shy of their hosts.

Stoke City

Blackburn Rovers

Stoke City 0 0 Norwich City
Middlesbrough 1 1 Stoke City
Stoke City 3 2 Blackburn Rovers
Sunderland 1 5 Stoke City
Stoke City 0 1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Stoke City 0 1 Millwall

Sheffield United 3 2 Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers 2 1 Reading
Stoke City 3 2 Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers 1 0 Sheffield United
Leicester City 1 2 Blackburn Rovers
Queens Park Rangers 1 3 Blackburn Rovers

Stoke City vs Blackburn Rovers Friday 10 March, 20:00

Full stats

Both sides can oblige at Carrow Road

Norwich matches under David Wagner have produced plenty of goal-mouth action. Six of the Canaries' nine outings under the German's tutorship have beaten the Over 2.5 Goals 2.0421/20 line with City recording only two clean sheets in that same sample. Surprisingly, the hosts have managed just four shutouts over their 18 home tussles this term.

Sunderland arrive having scored in each of their past 16 Championship contests, and the Black Cats have fired just two blanks in 18 away days across the league campaign. A hefty 67% of those road trips have paid out for Both Teams To Score 1.8910/11 backers, including seven of their last eight, as well as five of their seven trips to top-half teams.

Back Both Teams To Score @ 1.89

1.89

Norwich to win and Both Teams To Score is available at a bulbous 11/4 here but I'm happy to play things slightly safer and support Both Teams To Score at attractive 1.8910/11 with Sunderland eager to bounce back from last weekend's horror show.