Free football betting tips: Norwich v Birmingham - Sky Bet Championship preview & best bets

Recommended bets

2pts Under 2.5 goals at 20/23

1pt Under 1.5 goals at 11/4

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

Norwich v Birmingham

• 19:45 BST on Sky Sports Football
• Match odds: Home 4/5 | Draw 13/5 | Away 7/2

Norwich have had a mixed start since returning to the Sky Bet Championship after an underwhelming one-season stay in the Premier League. They've struggled far more than fellow relegated teams Bournemouth and Watford, who sit third and fifth respectively, and are lucky to be 11th with seven points from five games.

The Canaries pinched victory at Rotherham last time out by using up a campaign's worth of luck.

Tim Krul saved a first-half penalty when they already trailed 1-0, an own goal drew them level midway through the second period, a moment of madness from Angus MacDonald saw the Millers defender red-carded straight from kick-off and Norwich still had time to squeeze in a spot-kick of their own deep in injury time, converted by Jordan Hugill.

It's impossible to highlight one particular reason why Daniel Farke's side were so bad last season, as they finished well adrift at the bottom with the both the worst defence and worst attack, but the latter was more of a glaring issue - they scored twice in their final 14 Premier League games

Despite the drop in division, so far Farke hasn't managed to solve that problem. Three of their five fixtures have ended 1-0, and without Lady Luck there's every chance that's how it would've ended at the New York Stadium on Saturday too.

They now face a Birmingham team who won't be involved in many high-scoring games this term with Aitor Karanka at the helm.

The Spaniard inherited a Blues team that couldn't stop leaking goals post-lockdown, and has implemented the very same style and formation that was largely successful at both Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest - defend first.

Having started his reign with a 1-0 defeat by Cambridge in the Carabao Cup, in the Championship three draws have been sandwiched by a 1-0 win and 1-0 defeat.

No Boro or Forest fan will be shocked by the lack of thrill: seven goals in seven fixtures with no match seeing over 2.5.

Norwich have shown scant evidence that they will be the side to elicit an exciting display from Karanka's team, so to find under 1.5 goals at 11/4 with Sky Bet and under 2.5 goals at 20/23 with Betfair was a major surprise to me.

Having collectively won only three times in 12 outings this term, neither side has shown enough for me to be comfortable backing them in this contest but Norwich's odds-on price does open the door to back Birmingham at huge returns if you're that way inclined.

Instead though I'm taking both under goals bets and banking on Blues to make it seven from seven under Karanka for under 2.5, with a smaller stake on the bigger 11/4 price.

Score prediction: Norwich 0-0 Birmingham (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)

Best bets:

• Under 2.5 goals at 20/23
• Under 1.5 goals at 11/4

Odds correct at 1300 BST (19/10/20)

Follow Sporting Life on social - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football content

• Transfer Market: Latest updates
• Transfer Window: Done deals
• Latest football previews and tips
• Sporting Life App: Android & iOS

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.