Value on outsiders at under pressure Norwich City
Norwich City host Millwall on Friday evening in pursuit of back-to-back wins at Carrow Road.
Dean Smith’s men picked up their first league victory of the campaign on Tuesday evening with a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town, thanks to goals from Josh Sargent and Danel Sinani, after the latter spent last season on loan with the Terriers.
Process-wise the Canaries have been fine so far, but it is hard to see them justifying the league title favourites tag they went into the campaign with.
Smith has been keen to play down suggestions of a relegation hangover, but the mood around the club is not yet where it was in the days of Daniel Farke and Emiliano Buendia.
Process
It is early days to be drawing sweeping conditions from the expected goals (xG) numbers, however, they are still worth taking in to have a look at the type of chances the sides are generating and conceding.
Norwich have scored just four from 5.2 xGF, and have let in 5 from 3.5 xGA in their four league outings, yet to keep a clean sheet this season in all competitions.
Central defence is potentially an area that they could do with strengthening between now and the end of the transfer window, to provide a firmer base for their exciting attacking options.
Millwall have enjoyed an excellent start to the season, two wins at The Den and one point on the road under Gary Rowett.
The Lions are dealing with a hangover of their own kind, adjusting to life after Jed Wallace left the club in the summer, the West Bromwich Albion forward was such a reliable contributor in the final third for a number of years, and played a key role in the club establishing themselves in the Championship.
Goals?
An option, but given how Norwich’s games have panned out so far it does not feel like the right angle, particularly with the quick turnaround potentially reducing the intensity from both sides.
Norwich have scored in four of five.
Norwich have conceded in five of five.
Norwich have seen both teams score in four of five.
Norwich have seen over 2.5 goals in three of five.
Millwall have scored in three of five.
Millwall have conceded in four of five.
Millwall have seen both teams score in two of five.
Millwall have seen over 2.5 goals in two of five.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-0 Norwich, Josh Sargent brace.