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

At a time when the Canaries have moved into fourth spot in the standings, Boro have progressed into 16th place after also collecting seven points from a possible nine.

Match preview

When Norwich recently put together a run of just one win from eight matches, Dean Smith would have understood that he was under pressure to arrest that slump in order for the club to remain in contention for automatic promotion.

Fortunately for the Canaries boss, his players responded when required, collecting seven points from matches with Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United.

Curiously, the resurgence has come when the goals have dried up for the forward line, Aston Villa loanee Aaron Ramsey instead contributing three of Norwich's last five strikes from midfield.

Smith will only see the positives in that situation with Norwich having previously been over-reliant on Josh Sargent and Teemu Pukki, yet he will hope that at least one of the pair can return to form at the weekend.

Despite possessing the seventh-best home record in the division, Norwich have only prevailed in one of their last five outings at Carrow Road.

Norwich are not the only team to find some form of late with Middlesbrough matching their hosts when it comes to picking up seven points from three games.

Since Michael Carrick witnessed his new side suffering a last-gasp defeat in his first match, they have impressed against Hull City, Bristol City and Blackpool.

Given the level of opposition, Carrick will not be getting carried away with the team's best period of the campaign, but the signs are there that the North-East outfit can still involve themselves in a promotion race.

Although 12 positions separate the two sides, Boro are just eight points adrift of their fourth-placed hosts, highlighting the potential for a rapid move up the table if they can keep on track.

Boro have scored 11 times in their last four away outings, while Chuba Akpom has netted in each of Carrick's opening four fixtures.

Norwich City Championship form:

L

D

L

W

D

W

Middlesbrough Championship form:

W

D

L

W

D

W

Team News

Although Smith felt that Norwich did not produce their best performance at Rotherham, it may not stop the same Norwich starting lineup from being selected for this contest.

Todd Cantwell is most likely to be brought into the team should a change be made, potentially replacing Gabriel Sara.

Barring any unforeseen injury issues, Carrick has no reason to make any alterations to his Middlesbrough side.

Marcus Forss has impressed since Carrick's arrival and will continue in attack, with Akpom's deeper role leading to Matt Crooks having to accept a place among the replacements.

The likes of Paddy McNair and Alex Mowatt will also have to stay patient for a recall to the team.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, McCallum; Sara, Hayden, McLean; Ramsey; Pukki, Sargent

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Steffen; Smith, Fry, Lenihan, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Jones, Akpom, McGree; Forss

We say: Norwich City 1-1 Middlesbrough

This is one of the most intriguing fixtures of the weekend and we feel that Norwich will have every confidence of extending their revival. Nevertheless, Boro look a different side under Carrick, and the visitors could lead Carrow Road with a share of the spoils.

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