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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After their 10-match unbeaten run came to an end in midweek, Norwich City will be aiming to bounce back when they face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The Canaries lost 3-1 to Luton Town on Wednesday night and now host the Owls, who drew 1-1 with Reading.


Match preview

Norwich City's Marco Stiepermann celebrates after scoring against Swansea City in the Championship on November 7, 2020© Reuters

Despite their defeat at Kenilworth Road, Norwich remain top of the Championship table as other teams in the promotion race also dropped points.

Emiliano Buendia's penalty had pulled the Canaries level after Luton took an early lead, but ultimately they lacked intensity and urgency and were deservedly beaten.

Daniel Farke's side are in the midst of an injury crisis, and the game against the Hatters was the one that finally broke his squad, who have coped admirably in recent weeks.

Farke once again had no recognised striker to call upon, while he could only name a seven-man substitutes bench, five of whom were academy players.

The East Anglian outfit have only lost once at home this season, and will welcome supporters to the stadium on Saturday for the first time since February.

Sheffield Wednesday's Callum Patterson scores against Brentford in the Championship on October 21, 2020© Reuters

That is not good news for Sheffield Wednesday, who have not won at Carrow Road since 2009.

Tony Pulis is still looking for his first win as Owls manager, with the draw against Reading keeping the club in the relegation zone and four points adrift of safety.

Yet the Welshman could not have asked for much more against the Royals, as his team played the final hour of the game with 10 men following Liam Shaw's sending-off and should have had at least two penalties given against them.

It was a fifth red card in Wednesday's last nine games, suggesting that discipline is one key area that Pulis must improve upon if he is to keep them up.

However he has at least made the Yorkshire side hard to beat, as their current run of three straight draws marks their longest unbeaten streak in almost a year.

A victory is needed soon though, as are goals – the Owls have scored just three times in their last nine games and only Wycombe Wanderers and Derby County have netted fewer in the whole division across the whole campaign so far.

Norwich City Championship form: DWWWDL

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form: WDLDDD


Team News

Norwich City manager Daniel Farke pictured on November 7, 2020© Reuters

Even if Daniel Farke wanted to make changes following Norwich's midweek defeat, he has limited options available to him due to the club's lengthy injury list.

Of those currently sidelined, Teemu Pukki is the only one expected to be back fit for Saturday, but that will be a huge boost in itself.

Christoph Zimmermann and Mario Vrancic could come in to start, but other than that pair, Farke may turn to the academy after giving 18-year-old Tyrese Omotoye his debut against Luton.

Tony Pulis faces a dilemma in midfield with both Liam Shaw and Massimo Luongo suspended, while Barry Bannan is a doubt after picking up a knock against Reading.

This could lead to Callum Paterson dropping deeper, with Josh Windass – available again after his own suspension – then able to feature upfront.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
McGovern; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Sorensen; Tettey, Skipp; Buendia, Vrancic, Martin; Pukki

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Palmer, Lees, Borner, Odubajo; Pelupessy, Dele-Bashiru, Paterson; Harris, Windass, Reach


SM words green background

We say: Norwich City 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Both sides have selection issues, but the return of Teemu Pukki will be huge for Norwich and may well help them claim victory, along with the return of fans at Carrow Road. Wednesday possess limited attacking threat and could struggle to respond.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


ID:424895:cQx

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday?

Norwich City
78.6%
Draw
15.2%
Sheffield Wednesday
6.3%
112
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Teemu Pukki celebrates after scoring for Norwich City against Stoke City in the Championship on November 24, 2020
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Wednesday's Championship predictions including Luton Town vs. Norwich City
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bournemouth19107235161937
2Norwich CityNorwich1811432517837
3Swansea CitySwansea1896321101133
4Reading1810352821733
5Brentford1988328171132
6Watford188732213931
7Stoke CityStoke198652420430
8Bristol City199372020030
9Barnsley198472324-128
10Middlesbrough177641913627
11Cardiff CityCardiff187562316726
12Luton TownLuton187561720-326
13Blackburn RoversBlackburn1874732221025
14Millwall195951617-124
15Huddersfield TownHuddersfield187382227-524
16Preston North EndPreston1972102630-423
17Birmingham CityBirmingham185761416-222
18Coventry CityCoventry185672027-721
19Queens Park RangersQPR194781826-819
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham1844101725-816
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1944111324-1116
22Derby CountyDerby18279822-1413
23Wycombe WanderersWycombe1925121128-1711
24Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds1936101021-119

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