Preview: Norwich City vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Although the teams sit in 11th and third position respectively, just six points separate them in the second-tier standings.

Match preview

All of the headlines ahead of this game from a Norwich perspective has been regarding David Wagner with the former Huddersfield Town boss expected to be appointed as the new Canaries head coach.

The process of attaining a work permit means that as of Friday, the German has not been formally confirmed in his new position, yet there is every expectation that he will soon be in the Norwich dugout.

Whether Wagner or interim bosses Steve Weaver and Allan Russell are in charge on Sunday, Norwich will be attempting to end a four-game winless streak.

Just one point has been collected during that time, the East Anglian side succumbing to a late 1-0 defeat at home to Watford on Monday to drop towards the mid-table positions.

However, Norwich remain just three points adrift of the top six, and returning to winning ways at the weekend will set Wagner and his new team up to make quick headway up the standings.

From Blackburn's perspective, they continue to put together arguably the most remarkable set of results in the whole of Europe, losing 12 times in 26 league games and still occupying third position.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side have prevailed from their other 14 fixtures, the latest success coming on New Year's Day as they edged past Cardiff City.

That result ended a run of five defeats in seven games, keeping them within nine points of second-placed Sheffield United who dropped points at Queens Park Rangers.

Despite Rovers enduring what remains their worst run of the season, they possess recent happy memories of Carrow Road having posted a 2-0 at the ground as recently as December 17.

Nevertheless, Rovers have lost eight of their 13 encounters on the road this campaign, highlighting their reliance on results being picked up at Ewood Park.

Norwich City form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

D

L

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

L

W

Team News

Barring any fitness issues, Norwich may line up with the same side which started the game with Watford earlier this week.

However, the likes of Todd Cantwell, after injury, and Jordan Hugill are options in the final third, with Teemu Pukki potentially dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Adam Idah's recovery from playing 90 minutes for the first time this season will also be considered, while Isaac Hayden has been ruled out in the long term due to knee surgery.

Meanwhile, Callum Brittain, Sammie Szmodics and Tyrhys Dolan all remain absent for Rovers through injury.

Dilan Markanday could feature on the flank and Lewis Travis may return in midfield, but Tomasson is not expected to make widespread changes like he did in the EFL Cup.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, McCallum; Nunez, Gibbs, Sara; Cantwell, Hugill, Sargent

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Rankin-Costello, Ayala, Hyam, Pickering; Morton, Travis; Markanday, Dack, Brereton Diaz; Gallagher

We say: Norwich City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Regardless of whether Wagner is in charge at the weekend, you would have to expect Norwich's squad to react positively to the appointment. With that in mind, we feel that the Canaries may be able to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.

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