Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s Championship clash between Norwich City and Plymouth Argyle, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
In a mid-table clash at Carrow Road, home side Norwich City will play Plymouth Argyle in their 17th Championship game of the season on Tuesday.
The Canaries are in poor form and reside in 13th place with 19 points following their 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and are two points and six places ahead of sixth last Plymouth, who shared the spoils with Watford on Friday after drawing 2-2.
Match preview
Both Norwich and West Brom created two big chances during their clash, with the sides also having an equal share of possession.
The Canaries lost the prior three games to their draw against the Baggies, but they have not won any game since beating Hull City 4-0 in the Championship on October 5.
Following his side’s stalemate against West Brom, boss Johannes Hoff Thorup said that he felt his team had been conceding goals too easily recently, stating: “I think we have to look at that – we should not concede as many goals as we do at the moment. That’s definitely something we need to improve.”
In their past six matches, Norwich have conceded 13 times and scored on eight occasions, whereas they had conceded just six goals in the prior six.
Thorup’s side have in fact allowed opponents to score 24 times in the Championship this season, and that figure makes them the league’s joint sixth worst defensive team, though their tally of 25 goals netted makes them the division’s joint fourth best offensive club.
The hosts have a mixed record at home considering they have lost one, drawn four and won three of their eight most recent outings at Carrow Road.
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Meanwhile, Plymouth were fortunate to have earned a point against Watford given they required a 96th minute goal to avoid defeat, as well as the fact the Hornets created a number of good opportunities in the final third.
However, manager Wayne Rooney felt his players deserved to leave the pitch with at least a point, telling reporters: “I was confident we could get a late goal, because we’ve done it a few times now and there is that belief, especially when the fans get behind you.”
Rooney’s side are only two points ahead of 22nd-placed Hull City, who occupy the division’s final relegation spot, but only three points separates his team from 11th-placed Derby County.
The Pilgrims have drawn two and won one of their last three games, but they have only won once in their past seven fixtures.
The visitors’ away form has been poor for some time, with Plymouth having drawn two and lost seven of their nine matches on the road this season.
Norwich City Championship form:
Plymouth Argyle Championship form:
Team News
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The hosts will certainly be unable to call upon defender Kellen Fisher, who has accumulated too many yellow cards.
Midfielders Anis Ben Slimane and Marcelino Nunez have been ruled out until late and early December respectively, so perhaps Norwich will start Jacob Lungi Sorensen, Emiliano Marcondes and Christian Fassnacht in the middle of the pitch.
In the forward line, Ashley Barnes and Joshua Sargent are unavailable, and Throup could select Forson Amankwah, Ante Crnac and Borja Sainz in a front three given the prior two’s absence.
Plymouth will have to contend with injuries to goalkeeper Conor Hazard, as well as defenders Brendan Galloway and Joe Edwards.
Rooney may start a back three of Kornel Szucs, Julio Pleguezuelo and Lewis Gibson in front of goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.
Forward Morgan Whittaker was taken off as a result of injury against Watford, and he joins fellow attackers Ibrahim Cissoko and Muhamed Tijani on the treatment table.
Callum Wright replaced Whittaker in the second half against the Hornets, and he may be joined in the forward line by Andre Gray and Michael Obafemi.
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Hills; Sorensen, Marcondes, Fassnacht; Amankwah, Crnac, Sainz
Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Szucs, Pleguezuelo, Gibson; Sorinola, Randell, Gyabi, Mumba; Whittaker, Gray, Obafemi
We say: Norwich City 2-1 Plymouth Argyle
Norwich are unlikely to keep a clean sheet given their poor defensive record, but it is difficult to see how Plymouth can prevent the Canaries from creating numerous chances in front of goal.
Rooney’s side were somewhat fortunate last time out, and it would not be surprising if they succumbed to defeat on Tuesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
