Norwich started the weekend 14th in the Championship after taking nine points from seven games
Bolton have picked up only two fewer points but began the round in a lowly 20th
Recommended bet: Norwich to win, both teams to score and Josh Sheehan to be carded @ 10/1 with LiveScore Bet
A 5-0 loss and subsequent Carabao Cup exit at Manchester City will not have helped Norwich’s confidence after the 91st-minute hammer blow they conceded in last weekend’s 4-3 defeat to Middlesbrough, although manager Philippe Clement probably saw the Etihad scoreline coming.
Clement rested a number of key men for the trip to Manchester and they will expect to bounce back on Sunday, when they host Championship strugglers Bolton at Carrow Road.
Team news
Clement made nine changes for the defeat at City and the majority of his favoured Norwich XI should return. Mirko Topic, Ali Ahmed, Lucien Mahovo and Gabriel Forsyth are long-term absentees.
Luca Stephenson is Bolton’s only confirmed absentee but Lewis Brunt and Chris Forino must be assessed.
The latest Norwich vs Bolton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Norwich have won 11 of their last 16 home games.
Bolton have lost four of their last five matches.
Both teams have scored in five of Norwich’s seven league games.
The Canaries have found the net at least twice in seven of their last 11 home matches.
Bolton have won on just one of their last seven away days.
No Championship player has picked up more yellow cards than Norwich centre-back Jose Cordoba’s five.
The latest Norwich vs Bolton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Having been touted as promotion candidates during the summer, three wins from seven Championship games is not the return Norwich were expecting.
They have looked better of late, though, winning three of their last five, and a strong Carrow Road record makes them worthy favourites for this clash.
Bolton’s only wins in seven games have come against relegation rivals Cardiff and Preston, suggesting they are in for a tough time against this much more talented Canaries side.
That is not to say Steven Schumacher’s men cannot reward the loyal fans making the long journey to Norfolk, however, as they showed in a narrow 3-2 defeat to red-hot West Ham that they have the attacking talent to catch top teams on the break.
Bolton could do with controlling the midfield if they are to take anything more than a consolation goal away from Carrow Road, but that is a huge ask and it is likelier that those in the Trotters’ engine room spend more time chasing the ball than passing it.
Norwich are spoilt for choice when it comes to quality in central and attacking midfield — another reason why they can edge this shootout — and whoever lines up there is sure to give Josh Sheehan a tough time.
The Welsh battler likes to get stuck in, being shown 10 yellow cards last season, and is a decent price to pick up a second caution of the campaign.
Score prediction: Norwich 3-1 Bolton
Back Norwich to win, both teams to score and Josh Sheehan to be carded at 10/1 with LiveScore Bet.
The latest Norwich vs Bolton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
