Oxford United vs Norwich City Prediction: Oxford is eyeing survival

Oxford United will host Norwich City at The Kassam Stadium in Game Week 1 of the English Championship. Oxford is eyeing survival in the new league. Who will go home with three points after 90 minutes?

Oxford will play the second tier of English football for the first time in 26 years, although an outright prediction is made to finish bottom of the division. A chance was found by manager Des Buckingham, whose side won against Bolton Wanderers in the League One playoff final. There have been many notable signings, with Will Vaulks and Matt Phillips among them, made to add some steel to the squad. In pre-season, Oxford defeated Southampton 2-0 but lost by the same scoreline to Palermo.

Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Brown, Bennett; Vaulks, Brannagan, Rodrigues; Goodrham, Harris, Placheta

Norwich has a tradition of appointing foreign coaches so it didn't come as a huge surprise when Johannes Hoff Thorup was named as the new boss. The 35-year-old did reasonably well at Nordsjaelland, winning 34 of his 67 games and guiding his team to second in the Danish Superliga in 2022-23. The team has gradually been signing new players into their squad, the latest being Manchester City defender Callum Doyle. Other inclusions into the side, with Jose Cordoba and Ben Chrisene, have reinforced the side at the back after Norwich allowed 64 goals in the Championship last season. The only pre-season win was against Northampton Town as they suffered three defeats including against Bundesliga newcomers St Pauli.

Gunn; Stacey, Hanley, Sorensen, Chrisene; McLean, Gibbs, Nunez; Sainz, Sargent, Rowe

This should be a full of energy and enthusiasm game from Oxford, but that won't be enough to see them beat a solid Norwich side gunning for promotion. We expect lot of goals in this game with both teams being on the scoresheet.