Oxford Utd v Norwich

Oxford United vs Norwich City Preview

Oxford United have had to wait 25 long years to return to the Championship but following their triumphant 2-0 win against Bolton Wanderers in last season's League One play-off final, The U's will take their place in this season's Championship campaign, while Norwich City will look to dust themselves off after being beaten by Leeds United in last season's Championship play-off semi-finals.

Since last appearing in the Championship back in the 1998/99 season, Oxford United have experienced some dark times, not least when they were relegated from League Two and found themselves playing in the Conference Premier for two seasons from 2008-2010, but slow and steady progress has helped lift the hosts back into the English second tier.

Oxford United finished the regular League One season in fifth place which saw The U's progress through to the play-offs where they saw off Peterborough United by a 2-1 win on aggregate before recording a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley.

Much will depend upon Oxford United's ability to make the Kassam Stadium a fortress in this upcoming campaign but having lost just four of their previous 14 home games on home soil in all competitions, Oxford United stand a decent chance of making a positive start to this new term.

Norwich City will be keen to put last season's play-off memories out of their minds as they prepare for this upcoming trip to the Kassam Stadium after receiving a heavy 4-0 loss on aggregate to Leeds United in last season's Championship play-off semi-final.

The Canaries will therefore be looking to go one step better this time around but they'll be without former manager, David Wagner, who has departed Carrow Road and replaced by Danish manager Johannes Thorup who had previously guided Danish Superliga outfit Nordsjaelland to a fourth place finish in the domestic top flight.

However, Thorup may have his work cut out as he attempts to get Norwich City firing on all cylinders as The Canaries have managed to capture just one win from their last 11 matches in all competitions and also includes slipping to five defeats, and this upcoming trip to newly promoted Oxford United may turn out to be a tougher assignment than many may think.

Results away from home have also been disappointing from Norwich City's perspective as the visitors have managed to register just three wins in their previous 15 outings on the road in all competitions whilst also being handed seven defeats within this period as well.

Oxford United v Norwich City Verdict

Team morale may well favour hosts Oxford United in this upcoming clash at the Kassam Stadium especially considering Norwich City's poor results away from home in recent times.

Therefore, our main bet will be Oxford Utd win @ 2.90

Other side bets worth considering:

Oxford Utd win & Under 2.5 goals @ 6.00

Correct Score: Oxford Utd 2-0 @ 15.00