Blackburn vs Norwich Prediction - England Championship
Fans are set for an intriguing Championship clash this weekend as Blackburn, currently sitting in 6th position, host Norwich, who are positioned 10th. With both teams eyeing a late push for promotion spots, every point is crucial. Blackburn have had a mixed bag of results recently (LWWLL), while Norwich come into the match with decent form (WDLDW).
The match at Ewood Park kicks off at 12:30, with overcast clouds expected. This could be a closely contested game, and fans should expect excitement, especially in the first half, given the teams’ offensive strengths. Both sides have averaged over a goal per game in their last five outings.
Blackburn’s top scorer, Andreas Weimann, will aim to increase his tally, while Norwich’s Borja Sainz, with 15 goals, will be a threat. With defensive vulnerabilities in both teams, our recommended bet is over 0.5 goals in the first half.
Blackburn vs Norwich Prediction & Betting tip
Our recommended betting tip for this match is to bet on “Over 0.5 goals in the 1st half”. This choice is based on the offensive strengths and defensive vulnerabilities of both teams, which have been evident in their recent performances.
| Blackburn vs. Norwich Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Over 0.5 Goals in 1st half | 1.45 |
- Both Blackburn and Norwich have better attacking line-ups, with key players such as Andreas Weimann and Borja Sainz consistently finding the net.
- Defensively, both sides have shown some frailties, making early goals a likely occurrence.
- The historical head-to-head statistics also indicate a pattern of goals in their encounters, especially in the first half.
Blackburn’s mixed form and Norwich’s recent pattern of games suggest a competitive match with high chances of scoring early on, making “Over 0.5 goals in the 1st half” a solid bet for this encounter.
Blackburn vs Norwich Prediction & Betting Tip
Our recommended betting tip for this match is to bet on “Over 0.5 goals in the 1st half”. This choice is based on the offensive strengths and defensive vulnerabilities of both teams, which have been evident in their recent performances.
| Blackburn vs. Norwich Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Over 0.5 Goals in 1st half | 1.45 |
| Key Points: |
- Both Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City have better attacking line-ups, with key players such as Andreas Weimann and Borja Sainz who have consistently found the net.
- Defensively, both sides have shown some frailties, making early goals a likely occurrence.
- The historical head-to-head statistics also indicate a pattern of goals in their encounters, especially in the first half.
Blackburn’s mixed form and Norwich’s recent pattern of games suggest a competitive match with high chances of scoring early on, making “Over 0.5 goals in the 1st half” a solid bet for this encounter. This bet reflects the overall narrative of both teams’ seasons, where attacking flair is often balanced by defensive lapses.
Blackburn Team Analysis
| Blackburn | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Swansea | Blackburn | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Plymouth | 2-0 (Win) |
| West Bromwich | Blackburn | 0-2 (Win) |
| Blackburn | Wolverhampton | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Queens Park Rangers | Blackburn | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Recent Form: LWWLL |
Blackburn’s recent performances have been a mixed bag, with two wins and three losses in their last five games. They’ve managed to keep two clean sheets, showcasing some defensive solidity but have also conceded multiple goals in defeats.
On the attacking front, they’ve averaged 1 goal per game in these fixtures. Coach John Eustace will be looking to build upon the team’s victories against Plymouth and West Bromwich while addressing the struggles seen in the heavier losses.
In their next match, they face Norwich with hopes of securing a vital win to maintain their playoff push.
Blackburn Key Players
Blackburn’s key players in this matchup will undoubtedly include Andreas Weimann, who is the team’s top scorer with six goals to his name. His presence in the attacking midfield role will be crucial in breaking down Norwich’s defense. Another vital figure will be Lewis Travis in the defensive midfield position. His ability to disrupt opposition attacks and support the defense will be essential. The goalkeeper Aynsley Pears will also be in focus, aiming to add to his recent clean sheets.
Expected lineup for Blackburn:
- Goalkeeper: Aynsley Pears
- Defenders: Callum Brittain, Dion Sanderson, Dominic Hyam, Yuri Ribeiro
- Midfielders: Lewis Travis, Adam Forshaw, Tyrhys Dolan, Andreas Weimann, Ryan Hedges
- Forward: Makhtar Gueye
Look out for the battle between Weimann and Norwich’s robust center-backs Shane Duffy and José Córdoba.
Blackburn Suspensions & Injuries
Blackburn are dealing with a string of injuries that could impact their performance against Norwich. Here are the current injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Wharton | Cruciate ligament injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Zak Gilsenan | Muscle injury | Early March 2025 |
| Harry Pickering | Knee injury | Late March 2025 |
| Sondre Tronstad | Hamstring injury | Early March 2025 |
| Danny Batth | Muscle injury | Early March 2025 |
| Owen Beck | Muscle injury | Mid March 2025 |
The absence of these key players means Blackburn will need to rely on their squad depth. This could potentially affect their defensive stability and midfield control, as they face a Norwich side eager to close the gap in points.
No suspensions to report. Injuries to critical positions like defense and midfield suggest John Eustace might need to alter his tactics or bring in less experienced players.
Blackburn Tactics and Formation
Blackburn Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Makhtar Gueye
- Attacking Midfield Role: Andreas Weimann
- Defensive Midfield Pairing: Lewis Travis and Adam Forshaw
John Eustace has consistently used the 4-2-3-1 formation in recent games, focusing on defensive solidity and structured build-up play. With two clean sheets in their last five matches, the defensive duo of Dion Sanderson and Dominic Hyam has shown resilience. On the offensive end, Andreas Weimann plays a crucial role in linking midfield and attack, contributing with six goals this season. Given their injuries, Blackburn will likely depend heavily on their mainstays to maintain defensive stability and control the midfield against Norwich.
Norwich Team Analysis
Norwich have had a mix of results over their last five matches, showing some resilience and scoring ability, but also areas needing improvement.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Norwich | Stoke | 4-2 (Win) |
| Hull | Norwich | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Norwich | Preston | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Norwich | Derby | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Watford | Norwich | 0-1 (Win) |
Recent Form: WDLDW
Their ability to find the net has been evident, with an average of 1.40 goals per game in the last five games. Defensively, they have managed just one clean sheet in that span, indicating some areas of vulnerability at the back. Head Coach Johannes Thorup will certainly be looking to tighten up defensively while continuing to exploit their offensive strengths.
Norwich Key Players
Norwich have a solid array of talent on the pitch, with Borja Sainz standing out as their top scorer with 15 goals this season. His sharp finishing and positioning will be crucial against Blackburn’s defense.
Joshua Sargent also offers a significant threat, often partnering with Sainz and creating opportunities. Their combination will be critical in penetrating Blackburn’s backline.
Expectation is on midfield dynamo Marcelino Núñez to supply key passes and maintain possession, while Shane Duffy will anchor the defense alongside José Córdoba.
Expected lineup for Norwich:
- Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn
- Defenders: Kellen Fisher, Shane Duffy, José Córdoba, Lucien Mahovo
- Midfielders: Marcelino Núñez, Jakob Sörensen, Anis Ben Slimane
- Attackers: Lewis Dobbin, Josh Sargent, Borja Sainz
An intriguing battle will be Sainz versus Dion Sanderson, given Sainz’s form and Sanderson’s defensive capabilities.
Norwich Suspensions & Injuries
Norwich face several challenges as they head into this fixture with key players missing. Injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Gabe Forsyth | Knee injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Liam Gibbs | Hamstring injury | Early March 2025 |
| Amankwah Forson | Leg injury | Early March 2025 |
| Emiliano Marcondes | Hip injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Kenny McLean | Muscle injury | Early March 2025 |
Suspensions:
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Callum Doyle | Yellow cards | 2 matches left |
These absences could disrupt Norwich’s rhythm, especially in defence and midfield. The suspension of Callum Doyle further complicates their defensive setup, putting more pressure on the remaining squad to step up.
Norwich Tactics and Formation
Norwich Tactics Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Borja Sainz
- Midfield Trio: Marcelino Núñez, Anis Ben Slimane, Jakob Sörensen
- Defensive Setup: Kellen Fisher, Shane Duffy, José Córdoba, Lucien Mahovo
Norwich will likely stick with their 4-3-3 formation, showcasing a balanced approach between attack and defence.
- Attack: Borja Sainz, Norwich’s top scorer with 15 goals, will be pivotal in their offensive play, supported by Lewis Dobbin and Josh Sargent on the wings.
- Midfield: The trio of Núñez, Slimane, and Sörensen provide stability and creativity, crucial for controlling the game.
- Defence: With Callum Doyle suspended, Duffy and Córdoba will need to anchor the defence alongside the relatively less experienced Mahovo and Fisher.
Expect Norwich to maintain a better attacking presence while striving for defensive discipline to mitigate Blackburn’s home advantage.
Blackburn vs Norwich Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Norwich City | Blackburn Rovers | 2-2 |
| Blackburn Rovers | Norwich City | 1-1 |
| Norwich City | Blackburn Rovers | 1-3 |
| Blackburn Rovers | Norwich City | 0-2 |
| Norwich City | Blackburn Rovers | 0-1 |
