Two teams hoping to spark new life into their Premier League campaign with new managers meet at Carrow Road on Saturday, as Ralf Rangnick's Manchester United visit Dean Smith's Norwich City.
The Canaries have taken two points from three games since Smith took over, while Rangnick's first game on the touchline was celebrated with a 1-0 win.
Here are our free soccer picks and predictions for Norwich City vs. Manchester United, with kickoff on December 11.
Norwich City vs Manchester United match odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare EPL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Norwich City vs Manchester United betting tips
- Prediction: Manchester United (-227)
- Prediction: Over 2.5 (-139)
- Best bet: Cristiano Ronaldo anytime goal (-120)
Predictions made on 12/10/2021 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Norwich City vs Manchester United game info
• Location: Carrow Road, Norwich, England
• Date: Saturday, December 11, 2021
• Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
Norwich City vs Manchester United betting preview
Weather
Light rain is forecast for Norwich on Saturday afternoon, with temperatures at kickoff expected to be around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Injuries
Norwich City: Sam Byram RB (Questionable), Brandon Williams RB (Out), Christoph Zimmerman CB (Out), Milot Raschica AM (Out), Mathias Normann CM (Out).
Manchester United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka RB (Questionable), Edinson Cavani ST (Questionable), Paul Pogba CM (Out), Anthony Martial ST (Out), Raphael Varane CB (Out).
Norwich City vs Manchester United predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Side analysis
Manchester United are a team refreshed since parting ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as they're unbeaten in five since moving on. Though they were lucky to take a point from their 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and played a youthful squad in a meaningless Champions League game midweek, they do have quality wins over Villareal, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace in that stretch.
There has already been considerable improvement in midfield, with Fred impressing mightily last week, while the frontline has taken to an uptick in pressing very well. There are still kinks to iron out in defense — they should have conceded against Palace — but the presence of a proper manager is apparent after toiling away with the overmatched Solskjaer.
The manager factor can't be overstated here. By every metric, Man United are vastly superior to Norwich and shouldn't come close to dropping points against them. However, under Solskjaer, that would hardly be a foregone conclusion — evidenced by a 4-1 loss to Watford that sealed his fate, as well as a loss to Villa and draws to Everton and Southampton.
Rangnick will have his squad prepared to play, understanding what is needed in the specific matchup, and capable of making adjustments should they be needed. As a result, they will enjoy a straightforward win.
Prediction: Manchester United (-227)
Over/Under analysis
As mentioned, though Man United's performances have been encouraging over the last few weeks, there is still plenty of cause for concern in defense. They've conceded goals in three of five games, with an average expected goals against of 1.48. Certain individual performances, most notably of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, have not improved at all, which suggests it won't be a quick fix.
So, while Norwich are last in goals, xG, and 18th in shot-creating actions per 90, it's difficult to just assume a clean sheet for Manchester United, as they do have errors in them still.
Going forward, however, there's only optimism around Manchester United. They were already among the top teams, statistically, in attack before their managerial change, and have since increased their ball retrievals in the attacking third considerably. That will only lead to more goalscoring chances — especially against a backline as poor technically as Norwich's.
Through 15 games, Man United are fifth in goals, sixth in xG, and fourth in shot-creating actions. They've proven to punish inferior opponents, scoring multiple goals in five of seven league wins this season. Helping things even further is that aforementioned Norwich defense, which has been poor all season, conceding the most goals and second-most xG in the Prem.
Manchester United could very well top this total themselves, and there's a decent chance their defense has an error leading to a goal for the hosts.
Prediction: Over 2.5 (-139)
Best bet
Despite being one of the most decorated players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a point of contention for many since returning to the Premier League this summer. Many doubted his ability to be a week-in, week-out starter in a league where the high-press and off-ball movement is paramount among the best teams, as the legend of the game has become increasingly unwilling or unable to work off the ball.
Those fears were proven correct many times during Man United's poor start to the season, as the team have been overwhelmed by opponents playing a modern game. However, his penchant for goals, goals, and more goals has remained, too. Ronaldo leads the club in goals in the league (six) and across competitions this season (12), bailing out his team and former manager with timely goals on a number of occasions.
With Rangnick coming in, however, it was fair to consider his place in the starting 11, as the German coach is one of the godfathers of the press in modern soccer. Instead, Ronaldo thrived against Crystal Palace last weekend and Rangnick was effusive in his praise, putting to bed any thoughts around Ronaldo shifting into a super-sub role.
A locked-on starter against potentially the league's worst backline, count on Ronaldo to score.
Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo anytime goal (-120)
