Wolves v Norwich: Back the visitors' class to tell

Neil Adams knows his side are expected to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League

Andy Tongue thinks that the Canaries are a juicy price to leave Molineux with all three points in Sunday's televised Championship game...

Wolves v Norwich
Sunday 10 August, 16:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Wolves

Kenny Jackett's side won League One by nine points last season and being back in the Championship doesn't seem to hold any fears for the former Millwall manager or their fans. The title-winning foundations were built on a defence that conceded just 35 times in the 46 league games and Jackett will again look for his side to keep it tight at the back.

Teams promoted in impressive style from the third tier have a decent record in the Championship with both Southampton and Norwich both going straight through to the Premier League and Bournemouth not missing out on the play-offs by too far last season. Jackett appears happy with his talented young squad's chances as he hasn't strengthened it much over the summer, bringing in only Tommy Rowe from Peterborough and Rajiv van La Parra from Heerenveen.

With no one individual scoring more than 12 times last year Jackett will need the likes of Bakary Sako, Nouha Dicko and Leigh Griffiths to all contribute again. Their pre-season culminated in a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo, Dicko giving the home side the lead, after low-key 1-0 wins over lower league opponents Crewe and Oxford.

Norwich

The appointment of Neil Adams was something of a shot to nothing last season with the Canaries looking destined for relegation long before he replaced Chris Houghton. Whether he can cut it in the Championship is much more a gamble. He certainly has the tools for the job though with only Robert Snodgrass and last year's big flop, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, having left Carrow Road this summer so far, though Leroy Fer is almost certain to follow him before August is over.

Lewis Grabban looks an astute signing from Bournemouth and together with fellow newcomer Kyle Lafferty and Gary Hooper, gives Adams a strong hand of attacking options. Grabban scored twice inside the opening 11 minutes in their final warm-up game at home to Celta Viga last Friday and looks set to hit the ground running for his new team. 

Adam's other summer signing is experienced midfielder Gary O'Neil, a proven operator at this level who helped QPR to win promotion last season, despite getting sent-off in the Play-Off final, which means he's suspended here.

Match Odds

There's understandably plenty of momentum and good vibes surrounding Wolves after bouncing back to the Championship at the first attempt but even so I'm a little surprised to see them as short as 2.3411/8 for this clash. After all, the sides were two divisons apart last year and the Canaries have managed to hold onto most of their Premier League squad.

And don't forget they have John Ruddy in goal who wasn't far off making the England squad for this summer's World Cup. He will be a key man - especially early on as the home side are sure to come out with all guns blazing.

As my colleague Mike Norman says in his must-read pointers to Championship punting, stakes should be placed with caution in the early weeks of the season but at 3.3512/5 the visitors have to be the bet here for me.

To Score

Grabban has clearly settled into life in East Anglia very quickly. With his pace and finishing ability, he is ideally suited to pouncing on the counter-attack, which will likely suit his side's approach here. Having served his time in the lower leagues, the 26-year-old is now in his prime and will be desperate to play in the Premier League next season - a televised opener will the perfect place for him to show a wider audience just what he is capable of.

Recommended Bets

Back Norwich to win at 3.3512/5 (Best bet)
Back Lewis Grabban to score at the best available price