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NederlandNorwich City head into Saturday's Championship fixture with Stoke City having been knocked off the top of the standings by in-form Brentford.
While the Canaries have been relegated to second spot after three games without a win, ninth-placed Stoke have not recorded a victory since the turn of the year.
Match preview
© Reuters
Despite failing to record a win or goal since January 20, Norwich have managed to remain in the automatic promotion spots, just two points adrift of the new frontrunners.
The Canaries have not gone three games without success since September, however, and their recent period will inevitably concern boss Daniel Farke.
Norwich have previously been able to benefit from the inconsistency of their rivals, but Brentford and Swansea City are currently relentless in their search for promotion to the Premier League.
Their respective form has come at a time when Norwich have lost their cutting edge, Farke's team having gone as many as 13 matches without scoring more than twice in a game.
Despite their lofty position, Norwich are currently not performing as title contenders, and the German will be desperate for a response against an out-of-from Stoke side.
Although the Potters once appeared certainties to contend for the playoffs, a run of eight matches without success has left Michael O'Neill cutting a frustrated figure.
Like their hosts, scoring goals has been the biggest issue with Stoke having never recovered from the long-term injury sustained by Tyrese Campbell in December.
There is still time for Stoke to eat into a nine-point deficit to the top six, although O'Neill's current priority will be on ensuring that the margin does not extend into double figures.
Stoke have posted just one away win since the middle of November, that solitary triumph coming by a 1-0 scoreline at bottom-of-the-table Wycombe Wanderers.
Norwich City Championship form: WWWDDL
Norwich City form (all competitions): WWLDDL
Stoke City Championship form: LDDLDD
Stoke City form (all competitions): LDDLDD
Team News
© Reuters
Emiliano Buendia should return to the Norwich XI after serving a two-game ban for a red card against Middlesbrough.
Kieran Dowell or Mario Vrancic are likely to replace Lukas Rupp, while Dimitrios Giannoulis could get the nod at left-back.
Earning a goalless draw against Reading may lead to O'Neill sticking with the same Stoke XI.
The Potters continue to be without left-back Rhys Norrington-Davies after his dismissal at Huddersfield.
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis; McClean, Skipp; Cantwell, Vrancic, Buendia; Pukki
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Collins, Souttar, Batth, Fox; Allen, Mikel, Clucas; Clarke, Fletcher, McClean
We say: Norwich City 2-1 Stoke City
Stoke have reached a point where a draw away at the second-placed team in the division would not be perceived to be a positive result. With that in mind, we feel that the Canaries will produce enough quality in the final third to overcome their out-of-sorts opponents.
