In a clash that could impact the race for automatic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, Norwich City will host Sunderland on Tuesday at Carrow Road.
Norwich were beaten 2-1 by Plymouth Argyle on Saturday and are in 11th place with 52 points, while Sunderland are fourth with 75 points following their 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion on April 5.
Match preview
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The home side will be concerned that they faced nearly two xG and three big chances against Plymouth despite accumulating 75% possession.
Norwich’s defeat means they have kept just one clean sheet in 10 games and have conceded seven goals in their past four.
The Canaries’ hopes of finishing in the fourth and final promotion playoff spot are almost extinguished given they are eight points behind sixth-placed Bristol City with just six games left to play.
Boss Johannes Hoff Thorup‘s side are in poor form, with his club failing to win five of their past six outings and losing three of their most recent four.
Norwich’s record at home is mixed considering they have lost two, draw two and achieved victory in two of their last six at Carrow Road.
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As for Sunderland, they can perhaps count themselves fortunate to have taken all three points against West Brom given they only produced two shots from inside the box compared to their opponents’ 11, as well as having generated just 0.16 xG from open play.
The Black Cats defeated Norwich 2-1 in the Championship on December 21, and they have won five of their past eight clashes against their hosts while drawing once in that time.
Sunderland are eight points from second-placed Sheffield United, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot, but their rivals still have to play the likes of first-placed Burnley in their final six matches of the season.
Head coach Regis Le Bris has overseen two consecutive victories while keeping two clean sheets, though they only found the back of the net once in each of those matches.
The visitors’ form on the road heading into Tuesday’s game has been strong given they have triumphed in four of their six most recent fixtures away from home.
Team News
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Norwich do not have to contend with too many absences, but they will still not be able to call upon defenders Benjamin Chrisene and Gabriel Forsyth.
Jacob Lungi Sorensen, Shane Duffy and Jose Cordoba started in their side’s most recent win on March 29 against West Brom – keeping a clean sheet – and they may be trusted to play once again.
Winger Lewis Dobbin has also been ruled out, but regulars Ante Crnac and Borja Sainz are available to support striker Josh Sargent.
Unfortunately for Sunderland, numerous players will be sidelined on Tuesday, including defenders Ajibola Alese, Daniel Ballard, Dennis Cirkin, Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins.
Considering Alan Browne, Chris Mepham, Luke O’Nien and Trai Hume kept a clean sheet last time out, they are almost certain to appear in a back four.
Attackers Ian Poveda, Jayden Danns and Romaine Mundle have been ruled out due to injury, so expect Chris Rigg to support Wilson Isidor up front.
Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil are likely to partner each other in a double pivot given midfielder Salis Abdul Samed will miss out on Tuesday’s match.
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Sorensen, Duffy, Cordoba; Stacey, Slimane, McLean, Fisher; Crnac, Sargent, Sainz
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Browne, Mepham, O’Nien, Hume; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Mundle; Isidor
We say: Norwich City 0-2 Sunderland
Sunderland have proven strong from a defensive perspective in the past weeks and they also boast a positive away record.
Norwich have struggled to achieve victories and they have suffered a concerning number of defeats in recent times, so perhaps the visitors will claim all three points.
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