Blackburn Rovers VS Norwich City Match Prediction

Norwich City have beaten Blackburn Rovers twice in a row, but three of the last six games between the sides have been won by Saturday's hosts. Norwich won 2-1 on their last trip to Ewood Park in the 2014/15 Championship season, but prior to that Blackburn won this fixture four times in a row at home, scoring 11 goals in that run of matches.

Overall, Norwich have just 11 wins in this fixture compared to Blackburn's 19 victories.

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Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City: Prediction

Norwich City were very strong in the Championship two years ago and they appear well-placed to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League, while it is hard to know what to expect from Blackburn Rovers under their new manager Owen Coyle. Perhaps a draw is most likely here.

Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City: Betting Tips

Blackburn Rovers can be backed at 23/10 to get their season off to a winning start despite having home advantage, while odds of 7/5 are available on Norwich City taking the points on their trip to Lancashire. The draw can be backed at 12/5, which looks to be good value, while over 2.5 goals stands out at a price of 6/5. Graham has hit four goals in pre-season and is 3/1 to score any time.

Danny Graham is expected to start up front for Blackburn Rovers as Owen Coyle names his first team after succeeding Paul Lambert in the Ewood Park dugout, while new signings Gordon Greer and Anthony Stokes may also be in line to play. 

Liam Feeney and Jack Byrne are in line to make their debuts for Rovers, who are without their captain from last season, Grant Hanley, who signed for Newcastle United for £5 million. In Hanley's absence, Shane Duffy will take over as the leader of the defence.

Blackburn Rovers likely XI:

Steele, Henley, Ward, Duffy, Lowe, Feeney, Byrne, Akpan, Marshall, Bennett, Graham.

Nathan Redmond is the main loss for Norwich from the team that was relegated from the Premier League last season, with attacking midfielders Alex Pritchard and Sergi Canos among the summer arrivals. Canaries manager Alex Neil is expected to stick with John Ruddy in goal despite the arrival of the Northern Ireland international Michael McGovern on a free transfer.

In attack, Cameron Jerome is likely to be partnered by Steven Naismith, while the likes of Jonny Howson and Graham Dorrans have plenty of experience of life in the Championship.

Norwich City likely XI:

Ruddy, Whittaker, Olsson, Klose, Bennett, Dorrans, Howson, Tettey, Hoolahan, Naismith, Jerome.

Alex Neil\'s experience will be vital in getting Norwich back to the Premier League, but he faces a fellow Scot with top-flight experience here in the form of Owen Coyle. Norwich look to have a stronger squad which could well give them the edge in this curtain-raising clash, but a draw looks to be the safest option in the betting markets for this Championship game.

Five of the last six meetings between the sides have seen over 2.5 goals scored.