Preview: Norwich City vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Canaries sit in second position in the standings, West Brom are down in 20th spot with Steve Bruce battling to save his job at The Hawthorns.

Match preview

Although there are aspects of the Championship which could be as competitive as ever, that may not be the case for the automatic promotion places if Norwich continue in their current form.

After a run of three games without a win, the Canaries have posted six victories in a row, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Their latest triumph came on Wednesday evening as they held their nerve to register a 3-2 win over fellow in-form outfit Bristol City, who twice threatened a comeback at Carrow Road.

Instead, Josh Sargent and Teemu Pukki made it nine goals between them for the season, the former moving to six strikes with a match-winning third effort.

Norwich have already collected 13 points from their five home fixtures this season, and few people will back against that being extended to 16 from six outings.

West Brom went into Wednesday's derby with Birmingham feeling that they had an opportunity to kick-start their second-tier campaign.

However, a 3-2 reverse at The Hawthorns has led to Steve Bruce's side only being outside of the relegation on goal difference, leaving Bruce aware that he ideally requires three points in East Anglia.

On the plus side, the Baggies have netted in their last five league fixtures, but nine goals have been conceded at the other end of the pitch.

Three of West Brom's away games have ended in draws, their only setback coming against Blackburn Rovers on August 14.

Norwich City Championship form:

Norwich City form (all competitions):

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions):

Team News

With Grant Hanley currently dealing with a shoulder injury, Ben Gibson could return to the centre of the Norwich defence.

Despite the quick turnaround, the rest of the team could stay the same with Todd Cantwell retaining his spot on the left flank.

Jake Livermore is expected to return to the West Brom midfield with Okay Yokuslu having suffered a knock in midweek.

Brandon Thomas-Asante is pushing for his first start down the centre of the attack in place of Karlan Grant.

Erik Pieters, who signed on a free transfer earlier this week, is likely to be given more time to get fit before being considered for a starting role.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Krul; Aarons, Omobamidele, Gibson, Byram; Nunez, McLean; Sargent, Ramsey, Cantwell; Pukki

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Button; Gardner-Hickman, Bartley, O'Shea, Townsend; Molumby, Livermore; Wallace, Swift, Diangana; Thomas-Asante

We say: Norwich City 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

There may come a time when West Brom start performing far more consistency than they are right now. However, this fixture comes at the wrong time for the Baggies, and we can see nothing other than a relatively comfortable win for the Canaries.

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