Coventry vs Norwich EFL Championship prediction and stats: Star strikers to come to the fore
Two of the play-off contenders prepare to face-off in the Championship as Coventry City and Norwich City clash at the CBS Arena.
Mark Robins is one of the longest serving managers in the country and has overseen the long rebuild of Coventry City back into a big club in the country all the way from their nadir in League Two. Coventry reached the Championship play-off final in 2023, but lost the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer from that team. This created a problem in replacing those players, and though the Sky Blues had another good season last term, they look set for another tilt at promotion in 2024/25 now with the new players having had some time to settle in.
Norwich have been a yo-yo team for a number of seasons, but have failed to return to the Premier League for two seaosns now. This means that Norwich are now in their final season of parachute payments, and, as such, it would be a very opportune time for them to return to the top tier. To this end they have appointed an exciting new manager in Johannes Hoff Thorup, and they have continued to invest in their playing squad.
How to watch Coventry vs Norwich live
This game will be broadcast live on Sunday 25th August at 3pm (UK time) on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, as well as the new Sky Sports + app.
Three predictions for Coventry vs Norwich
Both Teams To Score (13/20 with Coral)
Both teams are bringing some strong forward power to the match. Ellis Simms, Haji Wright, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Brandon Thomas-Asante, and others from Coventry provide a big goal threat, but this is countered by Norwich’s favourite for the league’s top-scorer in Josh Sargent, plus their £8m new signing Ante Crnac.
Both teams have had this bet land in two of their three Championship matches so far.
Josh Sargent First Goalscorer (15/2 with Bet365)
The American is the biggest Norwich goalscoring threat. He has notched twice in the Championship already, including getting the opening goal against Sheffield United last time out in the league. He also had multiple chances to put Norwich ahead early in the match against Blackburn, before eventually bagging the equaliser in that match.
Jack Rudoni to be carded (4/1 with Sky Bet)
Rudoni received 10 cards in the Championship in 2022/23 and then 9 in 2023/24. He consistently averages well over a foul per 90 minutes in the Championship and so it is only a matter of time until he begins to rack up cautions this season as well. 4/1 is a big price for the former Huddersfield and MK Dons midfielder.
BetMGM sign-up offer: Get £40 in bonuses when you bet £10
Not signed up to BetMGM yet? Here's how eligible readers* can take advantage of their welcome offer:
- Open an account at BetMGM using this link.
- Select the Sports Welcome Offer.
- Get the offer from the ‘My Offers’ page.
- Deposit and place a £10 bet at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater.
- When it settles, unlock £40 in bonuses
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10+ at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Acca, 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Football, 1 x £10 Bet Builder. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.
How both teams go into Coventry vs Norwich
Coventry already have the full set of results after three matches in the Championship this season. An opening day defeat to Stoke was a disappointment, but a deserved last-minute winner over Oxford seemed to get the Sky Blues back on track.
However, a tough game against Bristol City ended in a stalemate last time out in the league. There are definite signs of rustiness in Coventry’s play but they are through to the third round of the EFL Cup after another win over Oxford. Indeed, there is a weird quirk in Coventry’s season in that they have played five competitive matches, but only played three different opponents.
Norwich may only have two points for their efforts so far this season, but performances haven’t been bad under a new head coach. Having suffered a shock defeat to Oxford on opening day, they deserved a better result than they got at home to Blackburn and they competed hard against Sheffield United, picking up five bookings in a 1-1 draw.
Coventry host Norwich at the CBS Arena on Saturday 31st August at 12:30pm.
Coventry team news
There are some injury concerns in central defence and also there is a lack of clarity as to whether they will line up in a 4231 or 433 formation, which would change the personnel somewhat. Brandon Thomas-Asante and Kasey Palmer are certainly pushing for starts.
Possible Coventry XI: Dovin; Van Ewijk, Latibeaudiere, Binks, Bidwell; Eccles, Torp, Rudoni; Sakamoto, Simms, Wright.
Norwich team news
There are still some teething issues with Norwich’s new look forward unit. New signing Ante Crnac will likely start again on the right of the three behind Josh Sargent. The usual central midfield pair of Marcelino Nunez and Kenny McLean will patrol ahead of a new look defence, especially on the left.
Possible Norwich XI: Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Chrisene; Nunez, McLean; Crnac, Forson, Sainz; Sargent.
Coventry vs Norwich head-to-head
It is remarkable how much of a lead Coventry City have in the head-to-head given Norwich’s recent dominance. Norwich are unbeaten in the last ten against Coventry, and have won seven of those ten. Coventry’s last win was in 2009.
| Coventry vs Norwich H2H | |||||||
| Date | Score | Ground | |||||
| 03/02/24 | Norwich 2-1 Coventry | Carrow Road, Norwich | |||||
| 07/10/23 | Coventry 1-1 Norwich | CBS Arena, Coventry | |||||
| 21/01/23 | Coventry 2-4 Norwich | CBS Arena, Coventry | |||||
| 03/09/22 | Norwich 3-0 Coventry | Carrow Road, Norwich | |||||
| 17/02/21 | Coventry 0-2 Norwich | St Andrews, Birmingham | |||||
| 09/01/21 | Norwich 2-0 Coventry | Carrow Road, Norwich | |||||
