Norwich vs Bournemouth Odds & Prediction – EFL Championship Matchday 42
- Norwich City host Bournemouth on the 42nd matchday of the EFL Championship on Saturday, April 17th at 3:00 pm EST
- Norwich have an eight-point lead atop the table, while Bournemouth are tightly gripping onto the last Promotional Playoff spot
- Currently, the favorites to win the match are Norwich City with moneyline odds of -104
With a nearly three-game lead atop the EFL Championship table, Norwich City already have one hand on their inevitable trophy. Mathematically, a catastrophic collapse could still see them lose the title. In turn, Daniel Farke will emphasize how important their Norwich vs Bournemouth match is on Saturday. Norwich City have not lost in all competitions since February 5th against Swansea, which means the Cherries have their work cut out for them.
Nonetheless, Bournemouth have their own battle to fight. Currently, they are in sixth place, which is the last spot in the EFL Championship that qualifies for the Promotional Playoff to get back into the Premier League. Reading are within five points of them in seventh and Barnsley are presently tied, only behind Bournemouth on goal difference. The last two times these sides played, Norwich City were defeated thanks to a lonely goal by Arnaut Danjuma. The way Saturday is shaping up, this match could be even more enthralling.
Norwich City vs Bournemouth Odds
| Matchup | Spread | Moneyline | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich City vs Bournemouth | NOR -0.5 (-105) | BOU +0.5 (-120) | NOR -104 | BOU +265 | DRAW +255 | Ov 2.5 (-124) | Un 2.5 (+100) |
Odds as of Apr 15
Norwich City Are a Model of Consistency
Despite a horrific Premier League run in 2019/20, Norwich City have made up for it this year in the Championship. After accumulating 90 points in 41 games, they not only will get back into England’s top flight but also lift silverware. Ultimately, it is an ode to their management and coaching staff for keeping their young pieces together, including Emiliano Buendia and Todd Cantwell. The pair have combined for 37 goal contributions this season and will be a scary duo to defend for Cameron Carter-Vicker and Steve Cook.
The hard work continues, as does your support from afar! 💛
🗣 A message from our number one @TimKrul ahead of our upcoming fixtures. pic.twitter.com/p6q2HvZsXs
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 15, 2021
However, this goes without mentioning Teemu Puuki. The 31-year-old Norwich forward came back into the Championship and got right back down to business, scoring 25 goals so far this season. Puuki can score in so many ways which will make him even more difficult to defend for a Bournemouth defense that lets in about a goal per match. The fact is, Norwich City have been immensely consistent all year. They concede less than 0.7 goals per match and have only lost five times this year. Bournemouth was one of those losses, but will they do the impossible and win the double?
Norwich City vs Bournemouth EFL Championship Statistics
| 1.59 | Goals per game | 1.61 |
| 15.8 | Shots per game | 12.2 |
| 58.7% | Possession % | 55.4% |
| 82.8% | Passing % | 77.9% |
Every Match Left is a Final for Bournemouth
With five games remaining, no points can be left on the table for the Cherries. Expect Jonathan Woodgate to come out and treat this game against Norwich City exactly like a proper cup final. Dominic Solanke and Danjuma should both start for Bournemouth, in what is the highest-scoring offense in the EFL Championship. The pair has 17 goals on the season and will be mainly responsible for breaking down the Norwich City fortress in defense. Off the bench, Woodgate will probably bring in Junior Stanislas, who has been another key contributor to Bournemouth this year.
Ready to watch this on repeat all day ☑ @DomSolanke // @bournemouthuni
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 15, 2021
Historically, these clubs have traded fairly even blows to one another as of recent years. In the past eight head-to-head matches, both sides have three wins, three losses and two draws. Despite what the moneylines say, Bournemouth really is not that much of an underdog, especially considering how important Saturday’s match is to them.
Norwich City vs Bournemouth Best Bet
Overall, the best bet for this match is the Norwich City moneyline with odds of -104. Given that Bournemouth won the reverse fixture, it is hard to see them doing the double on the eventual champions. The Cherries have been good as of late, but sometimes the pressure of being chased is just too much at the end of a long season. That paired alongside Norwich City’s consistency and defense, makes this task a little too tall for Bournemouth.
My Pick: Norwich City moneyline (-104)
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Josh Ricker is a freelance sports journalist, currently attending the University of Southern Maine (Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Marketing). He has recently interned with the AA Portland Sea Dogs, and his work has been featured on Fansided, as well as now here on SBD.
