MansionBet Match Preview: Norwich City (H)

In partnership with MansionBet, here’s a preview of what you can expect from the fixture.

City are without a win this side of the October international break, following two draws and as many losses, the last of those being Wednesday night’s defeat away to AFC Bournemouth.

City hit the post and saw a Tomas Kalas header cleared off the line in a dominant first half on the South Coast, before a late sucker punch stole the win for the home side.

Certainly, carving out opportunities is not the problem for City but it’s what they do in the final third which will help them get back to winning ways.

And 64 hours later Dean Holden’s men are back to work at Ashton Gate where they will be planning for treats and no more tricks for the visit of Daniel Farke’s side. Kalas, who came out of Wednesday’s match somewhat battered and bruised, has spoken of the positives of the quick turnaround and his belief the squad can recover their form quickly.

As for Saturday’s match itself, this will be the first meeting between the teams since February 2019, when Callum O’Dowda scored a superb solo goal in a 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road. It was another key set of three points for the Canaries though, who would go on to win promotion as Championship winners come May.

But their return to the Premier League in 2019/20 was short-lived after just five league wins, and eventually a record fifth relegation from the top flight was confirmed in a 4-0 home defeat to West Ham United.

Their return to the Championship sees them in the early mix and they head to Ashton Gate on a four-game unbeaten run, consisting of three wins and a draw.

However, Norwich will wait to see if Spanish summer signing Xavi Quintilla will be fit enough to play in defence. He pulled up with a muscle strain in the warm-up pre-Brentford last time out, with Jacob Sorenson played out of his natural position to cover. And Adam Idah will not travel to BS3 as he serves the last of his three-game suspension.

As for Holden’s injury list, Nathan Baker, Steven Sessegnon and Andreas Weimann remain City’s long-term injuries, with Liam Walsh and Joe Williams continuing with their respective recoveries. Alfie Mawson has undergone knee surgery but there is no current timescale on his injury.

MATCH DETAILS 

Where: Ashton Gate
When: Saturday, October 31st, 12.30pm KO
Competition: Sky Bet Championship

Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistants: Paul Hodskinson and Philip Dermott
Fourth official: Tim Robinson