Norwich City vs Stevenage predictions ahead of this EFL Cup 1st round clash. Following their thrilling league openers, Norwich City and Stevenage face off at Carrow Road on Tuesday night in the first round of the EFL Cup. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.
EFL Cup | First Round | Aug 13, 2024 at 7.45pm UK at Carrow Road
Norwich City vs Stevenage Predictions
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Can Norwich City Find Redemption Against Stevenage in the EFL Cup?
Key Stats
Norwich City managed just two shots on target in their opening Championship defeat, highlighting their struggle in the final third.
Stevenage kept a clean sheet in their League One opener, showcasing their defensive solidity under Alex Revell.
Norwich have won just two of their last ten home matches, indicating a worrying trend at Carrow Road that they must address against Stevenage.
As Norwich City prepare to host Stevenage in the first round of the EFL Cup at Carrow Road, both teams enter this contest with contrasting emotions from their respective league openers. Norwich suffered a disappointing start to their Championship campaign with a loss to Oxford United, while Stevenage, newly promoted to League One, secured a narrow victory over Shrewsbury Town. This match offers a chance for both sides to progress in the competition, but it also provides an opportunity for Norwich to bounce back from their early-season setback.
Norwich City: A Club in Need of Momentum
Norwich City’s return to Championship action was far from ideal, as they were outclassed by Oxford United in a 2-0 defeat. The Canaries, who were hoping for a strong start under new head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, were instead left to reflect on a performance that highlighted their ongoing struggles away from home. The defeat at the Kassam Stadium continued their poor run on the road, a trend that has carried over from the previous season.
Johannes Hoff Thorup, who took over as Norwich’s head coach this summer, has a significant task ahead of him in turning the team’s fortunes around. His first competitive outing did not go as planned, with his side struggling to break down a well-organised Oxford defence. Norwich’s lack of creativity and cutting edge in the final third was evident, as they managed just two shots on target throughout the match. This inability to convert possession into clear chances is a concern that Thorup must address quickly if Norwich are to be competitive in both the league and cup competitions.
Norwich’s home form, however, was one of the few positives from last season. The Canaries lost only four of their 23 home matches in the Championship, and they will be hoping that a return to Carrow Road can provide the spark needed to kickstart their season. The challenge for Thorup will be to instill confidence in his squad and ensure that they do not let the disappointment of their league opener affect their performance in the cup.
Stevenage: Building on Early Success
Stevenage, on the other hand, will arrive at Carrow Road with a sense of optimism after their successful start to the League One campaign. Their 1-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town, secured by a second-half goal from Elliott List, marked a positive beginning to life back in the third tier. The Boro’s rise to League One has been impressive, and they will be looking to build on this momentum in the EFL Cup.
Under the management of Alex Revell, Stevenage have shown resilience and organisation, traits that will be crucial when facing higher-tier opposition like Norwich. Revell, who took charge of the club towards the end of last season, has managed to keep his side unbeaten in his first three games, including Saturday’s win. Stevenage’s defence, anchored by Carl Piergianni and Dan Sweeney, has been solid, with the team keeping a clean sheet in their league opener.
However, Stevenage will face a much sterner test against Norwich, a team with greater quality and depth. The absence of Jamie Reid, their top scorer from last season, due to a medical condition, is a significant blow for the Boro. Reid’s goals were instrumental in Stevenage’s success last season, and without him, they may struggle to find the net against stronger opposition. Nevertheless, Stevenage will rely on the likes of Elliott List and Tyreece Simpson to lead the line and exploit any defensive lapses from Norwich.
Key Areas of the Field: Midfield Battle and Wide Play
The midfield battle is likely to be the decisive factor in this match. Norwich’s Kenny McLean and Liam Gibbs will need to assert control in the centre of the park, dictating the tempo and providing the creative spark that was missing against Oxford. For Stevenage, the onus will be on players like Harvey White and Daniel Phillips to disrupt Norwich’s rhythm and launch counter-attacks.
Norwich’s wide players, Christian Fassnacht and Borja Sainz, will be crucial in stretching Stevenage’s defence and providing service to the forwards. Fassnacht’s ability to beat his man and deliver accurate crosses could be a key weapon for the Canaries, especially if Adam Idah starts up front. Stevenage’s full-backs, Luther James-Wildin and Lewis Freestone, will have their hands full containing Norwich’s wingers and preventing them from creating scoring opportunities.
For Stevenage, set-pieces could be their best chance of causing problems for Norwich. With players like Carl Piergianni, who is strong in the air, they could look to exploit any weakness in Norwich’s defending of dead-ball situations. Norwich’s defence, led by Grant Hanley and Jacob Sørensen, will need to be vigilant and ensure that they do not concede unnecessary fouls in dangerous areas.
Critique of Norwich’s Approach Under Johannes Hoff Thorup
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s start to life at Norwich has been underwhelming, to say the least. His tactical setup against Oxford United failed to deliver the desired results, with his side looking disjointed and lacking in ideas. Thorup’s insistence on playing out from the back, even when under pressure, led to several unforced errors and put his team on the back foot. This approach, while admirable in its ambition, seems ill-suited to a team that lacks the technical quality to execute it effectively.
Moreover, Thorup’s decision to persist with a single striker system, despite the lack of support from the midfield, left Adam Idah isolated and ineffective. Norwich’s attack looked toothless, with their play too predictable and lacking in penetration. If Thorup continues with this approach, it could be a long and difficult season for the Canaries, both in the league and in cup competitions.
Predictions
Best Bet: Norwich City to Win and Under 2.5 Goals
Despite their poor start to the season, Norwich should have enough quality to overcome Stevenage, particularly at home. However, given their struggles in front of goal and Stevenage’s solid defensive setup, this match is likely to be a low-scoring affair. Therefore, the best bet is for Norwich to win with under 2.5 goals in the match.
Correct Score Prediction: Norwich City 2-0 Stevenage
A 2-0 victory for Norwich aligns with the expectation that they will control the game but may not create a plethora of chances. Stevenage are likely to sit deep and defend resolutely, making it difficult for Norwich to score freely. However, the Canaries should eventually find a way through and secure a comfortable, if unspectacular, win.
Goalscorer Prediction: Adam Idah to Score
Adam Idah, likely to start up front for Norwich, is a strong candidate to find the back of the net. With Stevenage expected to sit deep, Idah’s physical presence and ability to hold off defenders could prove crucial in breaking down their resistance. He may also benefit from any set-pieces Norwich win, where his aerial ability could come into play.
Corner Prediction: Norwich to Win the Most Corners and Over 9.5 Total Corners
Given Norwich’s expected dominance in possession and their reliance on wide play, they are likely to win the majority of corners in this match. Stevenage, on the other hand, may only get a few opportunities to attack but could still contribute to the corner count through counter-attacks and set-pieces. Therefore, predicting over 9.5 total corners with Norwich winning the most seems a logical choice.
Innovative Market Prediction: Norwich to Have Over 6.5 Shots on Target
Considering Norwich’s need to respond after their defeat at Oxford, they will likely come out with an attacking intent. Their ability to test the Stevenage goalkeeper regularly should result in over 6.5 shots on target, especially with players like Fassnacht and Sainz providing quality service from the flanks.
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