Premier League Predictions for Norwich this Season

Our latest Premier League predictions for the new season focus on newly promoted Norwich City who are one of the favourites to be relegated.

 

Norwich City fans will still be revelling in the glory of their playoff triumph over Middlesbrough back in May which saw them promoted straight back to the Premier League after just a single season in the second tier. However, if the Canaries are to maintain their top-flight status this time around, they will need to learn lessons from their previous Premier League campaigns where they lacked the quality and experience necessary to mount a reasonable fight.

 

The best odds for Norwich to be relegated this season are 6/5 with Coral. 

Alex Neil to be the first manager to leave is best odds 25/1 with Ladbrokes. 

 

After a poor first half to last season, manager Neil Adams was relieved of his duties in January and replaced by the relatively unknown Scotsman Alex Neil.

 

Under the leadership of the former Hamilton Academicals man, Norwich won 17 out of 25 games and their performances were in stark contrast to the limp and hesitant displays shown in the opening six months of the year.  

 

Beating Middlesbrough in the playoff final meant successive promotions for new boss Neil, after also guiding Hamilton into the Scottish Premiership in his first full season in charge.

 

At the age of just 33, Neil is a relative novice to the management game and he freely admits that the challenge of Premier League opposition will be a big step up for him. "I will need to learn fast, I'm fully aware of that," said Neil. "I think my biggest challenge is going to be managing expectations.”

 

The Scot has also been very straightforward in his assessment of what changes need to be made ahead of the new season. "There will be an incredible amount of hard work to make sure we can compete at that level because the gulf between the Premier League and the Championship is vast.”

 

It is safe to say that despite his lack of experience, Alex Neil has already shown the tactical nous to succeed under extreme pressure, and he has gained plaudits from players and pundits alike. Neil is tactically astute and meticulous is his planning. 

 

However, without quality players to do the job on the pitch, tactics mean very little. The manager has outlined his plan for summer transfer window by stating "We will need to add a few quality signings but I will stick with the hardcore group of the squad and make sure they get an opportunity."

 

So far Norwich have added Graham Dorrans for £3m and Youssouf Mulumbu on a free transfer.  Both players will add much needed quality to the Canaries’ squad as well as all-important Premier League experience. However, having also let seven players go so far, I feel that Neil will be looking to add at least two or three more to bolster his ranks before the transfer window shuts.

 

The spine of the team is much the same as it was two seasons ago when they finished 18th in the Premier League table. The likes of John Ruddy, Steven Whitaker, Russell Martin, Michael Turner, Sebastien Bassong, Martin Olsson, Alexander Tettey and Wes Hoolahan will all be itching for another shot at the Premier League and will no doubt be determined to prove they deserve to stay there.

 

Last time around, Norwich had a real problem finding the back of the net. Gary Hooper finished the 13/14 season as their top league goalscorer, with just six goals. Norwich could only muster a total of 28 goals from their 38 Premier League matches.

 

Since making a £1.5m move to Norwich in August 2014, Cameron Jerome proved to be the difference on numerous occasions for the Canaries. He was outstanding in the playoff final, scoring both goals to take Alex Neil’s men into the Promised Land.

 

However, despite having significant experience in the Premier League, Jerome’s goalscoring record in the top-flight is very different to his record in the second tier. He has 177 Premiership appearances, scoring 30 goals, compared to 195 Championship appearances and 58 goals.

 

If Norwich are to avoid relegation this time, they will need Cameron to make the step up and continue his fine form from last season where he scored 21 goals in all competitions for the Canaries.

 

From watching Norwich City last season under Alex Neil, I have a good feeling about their chances next season. Despite being an unknown and having a lot of expectation on his shoulders, the Scotsman was decisive and, more often than not, made the correct calls in matches.

 

Furthermore, his players believe in him. Martin Olson was left in no doubt as to what laid behind Norwich’s success, declaring, "We've been working well under Alex," said the Swedish full-back. "No disrespect to [previous boss Neil Adams] but if Alex had been in charge from the start of the season I think we would have won promotion automatically. He's a very tough manager but that's what we needed."

 

Premier League Prediction 1 – Norwich to finish highest of the promoted teams – 7/4 with William Hill.

 

Despite finishing 3rd in the Championship last season, behind fellow new-boys Bournemouth and Watford, I expect Norwich to finish as the highest ranked promoted side next season. You can get odds of 7/4 for this with William Hill.

 

Premier League Prediction 2 – Norwich not to be relegated – 10/11 with William Hill.

 

I feel that Norwich will be an extremely tough place to go to for many of the bigger teams next season. Alex Neil has instilled grit and steel into his team and this has been evident ever since he took charge. Norwich are at odds of 10/11 with William Hill to stay up next season and I see this as a very reasonable price.

 

Bet on this season’s football predictions for Norwich back in the Premier League with William Hill and get two free £10 bets to use when you follow the steps below.

 

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