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

The home side will likely need to win to have a chance of finishing in the top 10 of the table, while the visitors can realistically earn no better than 23rd position.

Match preview

Upon returning to the Championship, Norwich were many people's favourites to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, initially with Dean Smith in charge.

Instead, the Canaries have failed to live up to expectations, dropping out of the playoffs at the turn of the year and only producing one noteworthy unbeaten streak under David Wagner.

Since a run of 13 points from five games, Norwich have accumulated just seven points from their next 10 fixtures, resulting in the playoffs no longer being a possibility.

As many as 11 goals have been conceded in four matches, with just three being scored at the other end, and everyone associated with the club will hope that Teemu Pukki can end his legendary spell in East Anglia on a high note.

The veteran forward has not netted since January 14, but he will want to crown what will be a wholeheartedly warm send-off with his 89th goal for the club.

Having not recorded successive wins since October, it has come as no surprise that Blackpool have been relegated before the final weekend of the season.

That is not to say that caretaker boss Stephen Dobbie has not had a positive effect, however, with two victories coming from his five games in interim charge.

As it stands, Blackpool's plans for their return to League One are unclear, but Dobbie and some of his players will view this game as an audition if they wish to remain in their current roles for next season.

Blackpool won just their fourth away fixture of the campaign on April 22 when they edged out Birmingham City before they lost 3-2 at home to Millwall, who they twice pegged back before conceding a 75th-minute penalty.

Norwich City Championship form:

W

D

L

D

L

L

Blackpool Championship form:

L

L

W

L

W

L

Team News

Josh Sargent may be moved to the right flank in order to accommodate the return of the departing Pukki down the centre.

Marcelino Nunez could feature in midfield, allowing Jacob Sorensen to deputise in central defence rather than Sam Byram.

Despite Wagner likely being tempted to hand Jonathan Rowe a first start of the season, the youngster may have to make do with another outing as a substitute.

With next season in mind, Dobbie may choose to drop Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino to the substitutes' bench, recalling Callum Connolly or Sonny Carey.

The rest of the Blackpool XI could stay the same unless Josh Bowler is handed a start on the right-hand side of midfield.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Aarons, Omobamidele, Sorensen, Giannoulis; Sara, Nunez; Sargent, Gibbs, Tzolis; Pukki

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Grimshaw; Gabriel, Nelson, Husband, Lyons; Connolly, Fiorini; Rogers, Anderson, Hamilton; Yates

We say: Norwich City 2-0 Blackpool

With nothing riding on this fixture, do not expect it to be played at a fast pace, and it may not turn out to be the most thrilling of encounters. Nevertheless, Pukki will want to sign off with a goal, something that we expect him to achieve in this contest.

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