Plymouth vs. Norwich Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 5 April 2025 - bettingexpert

This Championship clash at Home Park pits 24th-placed Plymouth against 10th-placed Norwich. It’s a vital game for both teams with contrasting ambitions. Plymouth will be desperate for points to climb from the bottom and avoid relegation, while Norwich look to cement their place in the playoff hunt.

Plymouth’s recent form (LLDWL) hasn’t been great, and they are facing a Norwich side that has also had inconsistent results (LLWDW). Despite being the bookmakers’ favorites, Norwich have shown vulnerability in recent matches, creating an opportunity for Plymouth to spring a surprise.

Expect a high-scoring encounter, as Plymouth’s aggressive style and Norwich’s tendency to get involved in high-scoring games indicate plenty of goalmouth action. Our tip is to bet on over 2.5 goals due to these trends and the historically high-scoring encounters between these sides.

Plymouth vs Norwich Prediction & Betting tip

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Plymouth vs Norwich Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Over 2.5 goals	1.75

Plymouth’s aggressive attacking style, coupled with Norwich’s tendency to be involved in high-scoring games, makes this an excellent pick.

• Both teams have a history of high-scoring matches in their head-to-head encounters.
• Plymouth may be struggling in the league, but they’ve scored in 84% of their home games this season, ensuring goal action.
• Norwich, while favorites, are prone to leaking goals, averaging 1.4 goals conceded per match this season.

Plymouth vs Norwich Odds

This Championship clash between Plymouth and Norwich offers some intriguing betting odds. With Norwich as the bookmaker’s favourite, fans might find various betting opportunities.

Plymouth vs Norwich Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Plymouth	4.04
Draw	3.59
Norwich	1.83

Norwich, sitting in 10th place and boasting stronger form, are odds-on favourites.
Plymouth, struggling at the bottom of the table, are significant underdogs.
For those seeking a potential upset or value bet, considering a draw or even a Plymouth win might be lucrative, though risky.

Plymouth Team Analysis

Recent Performance

Plymouth’s recent form has been a mixed bag, reflecting their struggles this season as they sit at the bottom of the table. Here’s a look at their last five matches:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Watford	Plymouth	2025-03-29	Championship	0-0 (Draw)
Plymouth	Derby	2025-03-15	Championship	2-3 (Loss)
Portsmouth	Plymouth	2025-03-12	Championship	1-2 (Win)
Plymouth	Sheffield Wed	2025-03-08	Championship	0-3 (Loss)
Hull	Plymouth	2025-03-04	Championship	2-0 (Loss)

Plymouth have managed to score in 84% of their matches at home this season but are currently on the back foot, struggling to secure crucial points. Their recent record stands at just one clean sheet in the last five games, with an average of 0.80 goals scored per game in that stretch. The team will need to find a way to improve both their defense and attack to climb out of the relegation zone.

Plymouth Key Players

Plymouth’s survival in this crucial match against Norwich heavily relies on their key players stepping up. Leading the attack, Ryan Hardie, the home team’s top scorer with 6 goals, will be pivotal in converting chances into goals. His partnership with Mustapha Bundu and Michael Obafemi up front will be crucial in breaking down Norwich’s defense.

In midfield, Adam Randell and Darko Gyabi will need to control the tempo and distribute effectively to create scoring opportunities. Defensively, Nikola Katic and Julio Pleguezuelo have the challenging task of containing Norwich’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Plymouth:

• Goalkeeper: Conor Hazard
• Defenders: Kornél Szűcs, Nikola Katic, Julio Pleguezuelo
• Midfielders: Matthew Sorinola, Adam Randell, Darko Gyabi, Tymoteusz Puchacz
• Forwards: Ryan Hardie, Mustapha Bundu, Michael Obafemi

The key individual battles include Ryan Hardie vs Shane Duffy and Adam Randell vs Kenny McLean. These duels will likely play a significant role in determining the outcome of this match at Home Park.

Plymouth Suspensions & Injuries

Plymouth unfortunately have a few key players sidelined due to injuries:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Brendan Galloway	Hip injury	Out for season
Maksym Taloverov	Knee injury	Mid May 2025

These injuries will affect Plymouth’s depth, particularly in defense, where Galloway’s absence is a significant blow. The team will need to rely on their remaining players to step up and fill the gaps effectively.

Plymouth Tactics and Formation

Plymouth Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-3
• Key Forward: Ryan Hardie
• Midfield Operators: Adam Randell, Darko Gyabi
• Defensive Line: Kornél Szűcs, Nikola Katić, Julio Pleguezuelo
• Goalkeeper: Conor Hazard

Plymouth typically lines up in a 3-4-3 formation, looking to leverage their wingbacks’ potential to push forward and create scoring chances. Matthew Sorinola and Tymoteusz Puchacz are expected to provide the width, with Adam Randell and Darko Gyabi controlling the midfield. Ryan Hardie, their top scorer, will be crucial upfront, supported by Mustapha Bundu and Michael Obafemi. Although their defensive record has been shaky, conceding an average of 2 goals per game this season, they demonstrate a knack for scoring crucial goals late in matches, particularly in the 76-90 minute interval. This could be a key strategy against Norwich.

Norwich Team Analysis

Norwich Recent Performance

Norwich’s recent run of form has been a mixed bag, with 2 wins, 2 losses, and a draw in their last 5 matches. Here’s a closer look:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Blackburn	Norwich	2025-03-01	Championship	1-1 (Draw)
Norwich	Oxford	2025-03-07	Championship	1-1 (Draw)
Norwich	Sheffield Wednesday	2025-03-11	Championship	2-3 (Loss)
Bristol City	Norwich	2025-03-14	Championship	2-1 (Loss)
Norwich	West Bromwich	2025-03-29	Championship	1-0 (Win)

Recent Form: LLWDW
Norwich have managed to secure 1 clean sheet in their last 5 games, conceding an average of 1.4 goals per game over the season. On the scoring front, they’ve averaged 1.20 goals per game during this period.
Despite a defense that has shown some vulnerability, Norwich have demonstrated resilience and the ability to eke out wins when it counts, highlighted by their recent victory over West Bromwich. This blend of offensive capabilities and defensive frailties makes them a stimulating watch.

Norwich Key Players

Expected lineup for Norwich:

• Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn
• Defenders: Jack Stacey, Shane Duffy, José Córdoba, Kellen Fisher
• Midfielders: Jakob Sörensen, Kenny McLean, Ante Crnac, Anis Ben Slimane, Borja Sainz
• Forward: Josh Sargent

Norwich’s top scorer, Borja Sainz, with 17 goals, is set to be a major threat. His duel with Plymouth’s defence, particularly Nikola Katic, will be crucial.
Josh Sargent, leading the line, can capitalize on any defensive lapses. In midfield, Kenny McLean and Ante Crnac will look to control the tempo and supply the wings, making their battles against Plymouth’s midfield pivotal.
Keep an eye on Angus Gunn in goal, as his saves could be decisive in securing points for Norwich.
This intriguing mix of talent and form could tilt the balance in favour of Norwich.

Norwich Suspensions & Injuries

Norwich City heads into this match with a few notable injuries that could impact their performance.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Gabe Forsyth	Knee injury	Mid May 2025
Lewis Dobbin	Calf injury	Out for season
Ben Chrisene	Ankle injury	Out for season
Lucien Mahovo	Knee injury	Mid April 2025

Despite the injuries, Norwich still has a solid squad. The absence of Lewis Dobbin and Ben Chrisene for the rest of the season is a significant blow, especially for depth. Gabe Forsyth and Lucien Mahovo being sidelined may affect defensive rotations and substitute options. However, manager Johannes Thorup will likely rely on his available first-team stars to maintain their competitive edge.

Norwich City Tactics and Formation

Norwich City’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Josh Sargent
• Midfield Duo: Jakob Sörensen, Kenny McLean
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Strong attacking presence with wide players, particularly relying on Borja Sainz’s pace and skill on the wings.

Coach Johannes Thorup prefers a structured approach with the 4-2-3-1 formation, providing balance between defense and attack. The defensive midfielders, Sörensen and McLean, play crucial roles in breaking up opposition plays and setting the tempo for Norwich.

Josh Sargent, the lone striker, is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by skillful wingers Anis Ben Slimane and Borja Sainz, with Ante Crnac slotting in behind as the attacking midfielder. This setup aims to utilize quick transitions and create scoring opportunities from wide areas.

Plymouth vs Norwich Head-to-Head Statistics

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Norwich City	Plymouth Argyle	2024-11-26	Championship	6-1 (Loss)
Norwich City	Plymouth Argyle	2024-03-29	Championship	2-1 (Loss)
Plymouth Argyle	Norwich City	2023-09-23	Championship	6-2 (Win)
Norwich City	Plymouth Argyle	2009-03-14	Championship	1-0 (Loss)
Plymouth Argyle	Norwich City	2008-09-13	Championship	1-2 (Loss)

Plymouth has struggled in recent encounters against Norwich, winning only one of their last five meetings. Each match has seen plenty of goals, making for an exciting viewing experience. This historical context suggests an action-packed game might be on the cards. Given Norwich’s slight upper hand, they enter this fixture with a psychological advantage.

Odds accurate as of 04.03.2025 15:05, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.