Oxford United and Norwich City will meet on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Oxford United vs Norwich City odds
Find the latest match odds for Oxford United vs Norwich City. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
⚡Quick Oxford United vs Norwich City betting tips
Oxford United vs Norwich City predictions
For the first time since 1998/99, Oxford United are in the second division of English football. Whatever happens over the next nine months, the club’s fans will be determined to enjoy this season.
Given they finished 19th the campaign before last, it is fair to say that few observers saw Oxford’s promotion coming in 2023/24.
The loss of manager Liam Manning to Bristol City in early November could easily have derailed Oxford’s season, but local lad Des Buckingham came in and did a fine job after a difficult start.
A mid-season wobble meant Oxford could not keep up with the top two, Portsmouth and Derby County, but a fifth-place finish was a creditable achievement.
From there the U’s edged out Peterborough United in the semi-finals of the play-offs, before springing in a surprise in a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium that sent Oxford back into the Championship.
Unsurprisingly, they are the favourites to go down. Oxford will not mind being underdogs, though. They have lost star attacker Josh Murphy, but their midfield lynchpin Cameron Brannagan, who came through Liverpool’s academy and was superb last term, remains.
Oxford have made some interesting moves too. Malcolm Ebiowei has arrived on loan from Crystal Palace and will provide pace and skill on the wing. The signing of Louie Sibley from Derby is a coup, while Matt Phillips offers some much-needed Championship experience. Will Vaulks, Idris El Mizouni, Jack Currie, Przemysław Placheta and Matt Ingram have also been brought in.
Will that be enough to keep Oxford up? Buckingham has a huge challenge on his hands, but he will no doubt use the club’s status as favourites for the drop as a source of motivation.
This game against Norwich City, who have their sights set considerably higher than Oxford, represents a tough start.
Oxford United vs Norwich City betting tips
Norwich City are the favourites to get the better of Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
Norwich City to win – 5/4 (Sky Bet)
It is a new era for Norwich. This is the first summer under sporting director Ben Knapper, whose most significant move to date was to replace David Wagner with Johannes Hoff Thorup as the club’s manager.
It is fair to say the Dane was not well known among the Carrow Road faithful before his appointment. He has only been a manager for 18 months and led Nordsjaelland to an unremarkable fourth-place finish in the Danish Superliga in his only full season in charge.
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Keeping hold of Wagner was not an option, though. He got Norwich into the play-offs after a strong end to the season, but Wagner’s side were well beaten by Leeds United in the semi-finals. He never really won the fans over and the manner of that defeat by Leeds meant it was no surprise to see him leave.
It is hard to know how Thorup will do this term, but Norwich have more quality in their ranks and that should make the difference against a promoted Oxford team.
⚽ Go for a Norwich win at 5/4 with Sky Bet ⚽
Over 2.5 goals – 4/5 (Sky Bet)
The Kassam Stadium will be rocking on Saturday as Oxford fans try to cheer their team onto their first second-tier victory since a 5-0 thrashing of Stockport County in May 1999.
The support from the terraces will not be enough to bring the hosts three points, but the atmosphere could influence how Oxford approach the game.
Matches involving the U’s averaged close to three goals last time out, so this is unlikely to be a cagey affair.
With Norwich set to play a more expansive and exciting brand of football this season, we could be in store for an enjoyable encounter here.
In our view, there is a pretty good chance of there being at least three goals when Oxford face Norwich.
⚽ Tip over 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Sky Bet ⚽
Josh Sargent to score any time – 2/1 (Sky Bet)
There is still a few weeks until the transfer window closes and Norwich face a nervous wait to see if any offers are submitted for Josh Sargent.
The United States international has been linked with Premier League clubs (and even Championship rivals Leeds) throughout the summer, but nothing has materialised yet.
Sargent notched 16 times for Norwich last time out, a tally that was enough to earn him the club’s top scorer prize.
If he does remain at Carrow Road beyond this month, he will be integral to Norwich’s intended promotion push.
The 24-year-old can grab his first goal of the 2024/25 campaign on Saturday.
⚽ Back Josh Sargent to score any time at 2/1 with Sky Bet ⚽
📺 How to watch Oxford United vs Norwich City
- Location: Kassam Stadium, Oxford, England.
- Date and time: Saturday 10th August, 12.30pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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