Norwich play their second home game in a short space of time on Wednesday evening when QPR are the visitors to Carrow Road. Norwich will be desperate to bounce back from their disappointing defeat on Sunday, while QPR have started the season with two good results and will come here full of confidence .
Norwich are tipped by many to fight for promotion this season, bit with no win from their first two games they will be looking to get on track here. QPR could find themselves in the relegation battle later this season, but a continuation of their early form will keep them clear of that and give them a chance of finishing mid-table.
Norwich Form
Norwich are yet to win a game which will disappoint them, although they have been handed a very tough start to the season. They played Fulham away on the opening day, and Sunderland at home on Sunday, two of the top teams in this league so it is not too disappointing that they haven’t won either of those.
The performance was there against Fulham, they looked ok in parts, despite being away to one of the league’s best teams. However the same cannot be said about their 3-1 home defeat to Sunderland, in which they had a lot of the ball, but failed to create many meaningful chances with it. The possession stats will show Norwich had control, but they did little with the ball and they need to create more if they are to win games. They look like a team who needs to get a win under their belts soon, so I am sure they will be pushing for that here in what is certainly their easiest assignment to date.
QPR Form
I thought QPR might struggle this season, and they still might, but the way they have started the season has been impressive. They won 2-0 on the opening day at home to Reading, before grinding out a great point in a 1-1 away draw with Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.
They have given us two very different performances so far, both good, but showing they can play in different ways depending on the circumstances. The ability to grind out a draw away to Sheffield Wednesday is something they will have to use again in this game, with Norwich being an equally tough place to visit. It has been a good start for QPR, they will want it to continue and if it does then they could surprise a few of the big clubs in this division.
Team News
Norwich are crying out for a more creative play when going forward and it wouldn’t surprise me if they make a change or two for this game. Nelson Oliveira came off the bench to score in their opening game, before coming off the bench and doing ok on Sunday, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him start in this one to give them a different look. Elsewhere, they do have the talent in their squad and many creative players but for whatever reason so far they just haven’t clicked.
QPR will probably try and keep their team the same as their game against Sheffield Wednesday after impressing in that game. They showed a good resilience against Wednesday and that is something they will need to show again in this one. With Jamie Mackie and Conor Washington in attack, they always have the ability to score goals.
Top Betting Tips
This game is going to come down to whether Norwich can create enough chances and break QPR down. As a straight match between the two teams, Norwich are the better team, although I am sure QPR are going to make it very difficult for them.
I am sure Norwich are capable of picking up a win soon and I am going to back them to win this game, although only by a small margin. It is going to be tough for them, but I think they will break down QPR and get that all important victory, which will kick start their season.
I am going to back Norwich to win the game 1-0, which is available at 7/1 with Ladbrokes and Stan James. I think this represents good value in the game, and with the game likely to be very tight I don’t think we will see many goals. Hopefully Norwich can create enough chances to score one against QPR and pick up the win that they desperately need.