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

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

Norwich City host Bristol City in the Championship on Wednesday evening, hoping to secure their third successive league win and maintain their place at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, the Robins head to Carrow Road winless in their last four league visits and having lost five of their nine league fixtures on the road this season.


Match preview

Norwich City's Emiliano Buendia celebrates scoring their first goal against Barnsley on January 2, 2021© Reuters

Norwich City secured their 15th league victory of the season as they held on for a 2-1 win away at Cardiff City last weekend.

Early strikes from Grant Hanley and Todd Cantwell gave the Canaries a two-goal lead inside the opening 22 minutes and despite the Bluebirds pulling one back through Joe Ralls, the second half dismissal of Marlon Pack nullified the home side's threat, enabling the visitors to take away all three points.

Victory in Wales extended their lead at the summit of the Championship to four points and they also moved eight clear of Bournemouth in third spot, after the Cherries lost at home to Luton Town.

Norwich have a good record against Bristol City, as they are currently unbeaten in their last nine league matches against them – winning six times and drawing the other three.

Daniel Farke's side also have an impressive home record in recent years, having lost just two of their last 29 home games in the Championship.

Securing another win on Wednesday would extend that record to 30 matches and would put them in a strong position as they aim to bounce straight back up to the Premier League.

Bristol City's Famara Diedhiou celebrates scoring their first goal against Preston on January 16, 2021© Reuters

Bristol City got back to winning ways as they came out on top against Preston North End, securing a 2-0 home victory on Saturday.

After Famara Diedhiou opened the scoring in the eighth minute, defender Zak Vyner – who adopted a new role in centre-midfield – scored his first goal for the club, to seal the three points at Ashton Gate.

Manager Dean Holden would have been pleased that his side kept a clean sheet for the first time in six matches and now hopes that they can go on a good run of form that can push them into the playoffs.

However, Bristol City head into their clash at Norwich having lost their previous three away games in the Championship. The last time the Robins lost more than three consecutively was between November 2016 and January 2017 under former boss Lee Johnson, when they were defeated six times in a row.

Bristol City have struggled for consistency this season which has seen them fluctuate in and around the playoffs, but a surprise victory on Wednesday could move the Robins back into the top six with a game in hand still to play.

Norwich City Championship form: WWLDWW
Norwich City form (all competitions): WLDWWW

Bristol City Championship form: LLLWLW
Bristol City form (all competitions): LLWLWW


Team News

Teemu Pukki scores for Norwich City against QPR in the Championship on December 29, 2020© Reuters

Norwich could see the return of goalkeeper Tim Krul, who has recently been self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. Daniel Barden is likely to drop out if the Dutchman is deemed fit to play.

Left-back Xavi Quintilla remains in self-isolation, while striker Teemu Pukki, who missed the trip to Cardiff with a knock, is hoping to be available for Wednesday's match and could start up front ahead of Jordan Hugill.

Winger Onel Hernandez is back fit for the hosts and is in contention to start, although he faces a tough battle to break into the side ahead of Todd Cantwell and Emiliano Buendia, who have both performed brilliantly in Daniel Farke's side this season.

Bristol City boss Dean Holden has had several injury concerns in recent weeks and remains without a number of first team players.

Summer signing Joe Williams, defender Nathan Baker and midfielder Liam Walsh have all returned to first team training but are still some time away from featuring in the matchday squad.

Full-back Steven Sessegnon is expected to re-join training by the end of the month, while midfielder Jamie Paterson remains out for up to a month following groin surgery.

Jay Dasilva, Callum O'Dowda and Andreas Weimann also remain on the treatment table for the Robins.

With the return of Han-Noah Massengo and Tyreeq Bakinson, Holden could revert to a 3-5-2 formation.

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

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Kalas, Mawson; Hunt, Massengo, Nagy, Bakinson, Rowe; Diedhiou, Wells


SM words green background

We say: Norwich City 2-0 Bristol City

The impressive form of Daniel Farke's Norwich City side has seen them slowly break away from the chasing pack in recent weeks.

The Canaries could have both their number one keeper and top goalscorer back in the side which could help them secure another home victory against a Robins outfit who have kept only five clean sheets in 23 league matches so far.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals 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.Under 3.5:data


ID:431132:cQx

How you voted: Norwich vs Bristol City

Norwich City
91.3%
Draw
5.0%
Bristol City
3.8%
80
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Norwich City manager Daniel Farke pictured in January 2021
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Daniel Farke delighted with Norwich win after "such a difficult week"
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich26166435211454
2Swansea CitySwansea26148433151850
3Brentford25139345242148
4Watford26138530181247
5Reading26145740291147
6Bournemouth26119639241542
7Middlesbrough2711793024640
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn26116941281339
9Bristol City26123112728-139
10Stoke CityStoke2791173229338
11Preston North EndPreston27113133134-336
12Barnsley27106112934-536
13Luton TownLuton2696112128-733
14Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2795133038-832
15Cardiff CityCardiff2687113331231
16Millwall2661372225-331
17Coventry CityCoventry2679102535-1030
18Derby CountyDerby2677121725-828
19Queens Park RangersQPR2569102331-827
20Birmingham CityBirmingham2669111931-1227
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2668122029-926
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham2465132735-823
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2577111625-922
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2436151842-2415

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