Norwichvs.Bristol City

Despite sitting in 12th and 11th position respectively, these two teams have struggled to record wins in recent weeks.

Match preview

Having gone 21 matches without losing a league game at Carrow Road, Norwich would expect to be sitting far higher up the second-tier standings than they are.

Johannes Hoff Thorup's side did have momentum just over a month ago, putting together a run of 13 points from six games, but that has since changed.

A streak of three successive draws has been followed by back-to-back defeats, losing away at Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

Just one win has been recorded in their last seven games in the Championship, increasing the pressure on Thorup who has four league victories from 14 outings.

While the Canaries sit just four points adrift of the playoffs, they are also only three points above 22nd place in what is becoming a congested division.

Bristol City's own lengthy unbeaten home streak came to an end in midweek as they suffered a dramatic 2-1 reverse at the hands of Sheffield United.

The Robins had been leading heading into the final five minutes, only to concede twice and have Rob Dickie sent off in a morale-sapping conclusion at Ashton Gate.

Liam Manning's team also lost for the first time in nine matches, albeit having posted five draws during their previous eight games.

That has ensured that they have avoided defeat in their last four encounters on away territory, yet they head into this clash sitting just one point better off than their hosts.

Norwich City Championship form:

W

D

D

D

L

L

Bristol City Championship form:

D

W

D

D

W

L

Team News

Although Thorup's squad has been hit by widespread injury issues, changes may still be made to the Norwich XI.

Amankwah Forson and Christian Fassnacht could both earn recalls in midfield and the final third, while Jack Stacey may be given a first start for a number of weeks at full-back.

Meanwhile, Manning is without a further two players courtesy of Dickie being suspended and Mark Sykes being withdrawn early versus Sheffield United.

Zak Vyner may potentially deputise at right-back to allow Rob Atkinson to return to the middle of the backline with Manning in a position where he may need to shuffle his defence.

Anis Mehmeti and Sinclair Armstrong could also be used in the final third with George Earthy and Nahki Wells dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Long; Fisher, Duffy, Cordoba, Doyle; Marcondes, Sorensen, Forson; Fassnacht, Crnac, Sainz

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Vyner, Atkinson, Naismith, Pring; Mehmeti, McGuane, Knight, Hirakawa; Bird; Armstrong

We say: Norwich City 2-1 Bristol City

While Bristol City have shown enough in recent weeks to suggest that they will continue to be difficult to beat, we cannot ignore Norwich's home form. The Canaries may have struggled of late, but they have our backing to edge this contest in the closing stages.

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