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

Norwich City and Brentford square off on Wednesday evening as the top two clubs in the Championship look to move a step closer to Premier League promotion.

The home side currently hold a seven-point advantage courtesy of winning five games in a row, capitalising on a brief lull in form from the Bees.

Match preview

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Norwich were not necessarily at their best against Wycombe Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, eventually sealing a 2-0 victory through Adam Idah's late goal.

However, Daniel Farke is prioritising points over performances at this stage of the season, and the German will be increasingly optimistic that the Canaries can seal an immediate return to the Premier League.

Swansea's two matches in hand ensure that complacency will not become an issue behind the scenes at Carrow Road, but holding a 10-point advantage over third-placed Watford puts Norwich in a favourable position.

Teemu Pukki has been outstanding in recent weeks, scoring in five successive fixtures with a total of seven strikes coming during that period.

As much praise should be given to the team's defensive unit, which has conceded just two goals since the defeat at Swansea on February 5.

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At a time when Norwich have been finding a way to maintain a potentially-decisive winning streak, Brentford have been forced to overcome the disappointment of an unforeseen loss in form.

Three defeats in a row have left Thomas Frank's side off the pace in the race for the title, but victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City have got the Bees back on track.

Frank will be encouraged that their triumph at the weekend came after falling behind to a first-minute goal, the winner eventually being scored by the returning Ivan Toney.

Brentford are a different side without their leading talisman in their side, and his return from a minor injury could prove to be significant over the coming weeks.

The reverse fixture in October ended in a 1-1 draw with Kenny McLean's 87th-minute effort cancelling out Toney's opener in the first half.

Norwich City Championship form: LWWWWW

Brentford Championship form: WLLLWW

Team News

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Todd Cantwell remains a major doubt for Norwich after missing the game at the weekend due to a calf problem.

Przemyslaw Placheta is in contention to feature on the left flank, but the remainder of the starting XI could remain the same.

Mathias Jensen and Sergi Canos could return to the Brentford side after featuring as substitutes against Stoke.

Christian Norgaard will remain among the replacements, while Pontus Jansson and Rico Henry are still sidelined for the Bees.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis; McLean, Skipp; Buendia, Vrancic, Placheta; Pukki

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Dalsgaard, Pinnock, Reid, Sorensen; Dasilva, Janelt, Jansen; Mbeumo, Toney, Canos

We say: Norwich City 1-1 Brentford

While both teams will want all three points on Wednesday night, Norwich know that they will still benefit from a share of the spoils. With that in mind, we expect the home side to take fewer risks, potentially settling for a point if Brentford push forward during the closing stages.