Oxford United vs Norwich City Match Analysis & Prediction
10/08/2024 2:30 pm
Oxford United return to life in the Championship with a home encounter against Norwich City at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
Norwich have made a habit of appointing foreign coaches in recent years so it should have perhaps come as no surprise when Johannes Hoff Thorup was made the club’s new manager.
Thorup put together a respectable record during his time at Nordsjaelland, recording 34 wins from his 67 matches in charge and securing a second-placed finish in the Danish Superliga in 2022-23.
Time is being taken to make new additions with this week’s signing of Manchester City defender Callum Doyle just the third senior piece of business of the summer.
Nevertheless, the backline looks suitably strengthened with Jose Cordoba and Ben Chrisene also arriving at Carrow Road, necessary acquisitions given that Norwich conceded 64 goals in the Championship last season.
Their only victory in pre-season came against Northampton Town on July 13, the most recent of three defeats coming at the hands of Bundesliga newcomers St Pauli last weekend.
Meanwhile, Oxford are back in the second division of English football after a 26-year absence, naturally making them the favourites to finish bottom of the division.
However, Des Buckingham will see this as an opportunity after his side impressively overcame Bolton Wanderers in the League One playoff final in May.
An array of notable additions have been made, including Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Will Vaulks and West Bromwich winger Matt Phillips.
Buckingham ensured that his side were thoroughly tested during pre-season, posting a 2-0 victory over Premier League side Southampton before losing by the same scoreline to Palermo.
Oxford United vs. Norwich City Head to head
In the previous 10 meetings between these two teams, Oxford have claimed three victories while Norwich have won six, and they have drawn once. Norwich have scored 16 goals and conceded 15 in the process.
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31/03/1997Norwich City1Oxford United1Championship
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22/11/1997Norwich City2Oxford United1Championship
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28/03/1998Oxford United2Norwich City0Championship
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29/11/1998Norwich City1Oxford United3Championship
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24/04/1999Oxford United2Norwich City4Championship
Oxford United Team News
Buckingham must decide whether to stick with the side that suffered defeat to Palermo or tinker with his Oxford starting lineup.
Louie Sibley is an option in a creative role, while new arrival Malcolm Ebiowei could be used on one of the flanks.
Oxford United's Last 5 Matches
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20/07/2024Solihull Moors0Oxford United3Club Friendlies
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24/07/2024Oxford United0Exeter City1Club Friendlies
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27/07/2024Mansfield Town1Oxford United0Club Friendlies
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31/07/2024Oxford United2Southampton0Club Friendlies
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03/08/2024Oxford United0Palermo2Club Friendlies
Norwich City Team News
With Doyle having played a part for Manchester City in pre-season, the defender may be considered for an immediate debit in the Norwich defence.
Despite speculation regarding his future, Jonathan Rowe is in line to feature in the final third, with Josh Sargent likely to get the not down the middle of the attack.
Norwich City's Last 5 Matches
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17/07/2024Club Brugge3Norwich City0Club Friendlies
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20/07/2024Standard Liege1Norwich City1Club Friendlies
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26/07/2024Norwich City0Magdeburg1Club Friendlies
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30/07/2024Hoffenheim2Norwich City2Club Friendlies
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03/08/2024Norwich City1St Pauli3Club Friendlies
Oxford United vs. Norwich City: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Double Chance: Norwich City or X
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