Norwich take on Birmingham this Saturday in the Championship, and in many ways, this is a game between two teams who made a great start to the new season, but since then, they've struggled to keep that going. We've seen glimpses from them both, and in many ways, I think this game will be won by the side who get closest to their early season form.
Norwich Form GuideIf you want to get a grip for just how much things have changed for Norwich then you just need to look at the split between their first four games and most recent four. They won three and drew one of their first four, a great start. However, in their last four, they've lost three and won one, which includes losing their last two games.
Not only have Norwich lost their last two, but they've been disappointing losses to, including a big one last time out. In what was a terrible day out, they lost 6-2 away at Plymouth, a game which ran away from them, and they just did not look their usual self. The return home here is something I am hoping will help them find form again.
Birmingham Form GuideWith so much going off over the summer with Birmingham City, including former NFL start Tom Brady coming in as a minority owner, I wasn't expecting much from Birmingham early in the season. But they did have a great start, though again, just like Norwich, there's a big difference between their first and most recent games.
Like Norwich, Birmingham won three and drew one of their first four games. Since then though, in their last four, they have lost two and drawn two. It's still been a good start overall, and plenty more positives than I was expecting at this stage, but of course, Birmingham will be looking to return to their start of season form.
Match PredictionBoth sides can win this, if they find their early season form. But with home advantage, I think Norwich are the team most likely to do that, and they are my pick for the three points here, to continue what has been a positive start to the new season.