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

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

Two teams who sit at the right end of the form table meet on Saturday as league-leaders Norwich City take on Barnsley at Carrow Road.

City have experienced a slight wobble in the last week having been beaten by Watford and failing to beat Queens Park Rangers at home, however they still sit three points clear at the summit of the Championship.

If Norwich are wobbling, Barnsley are standing firm, with six wins in their last eight games, including a professional win over Rotherham United in midweek.


Match preview

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

Daniel Farke will have been disappointed to come away with only a point against QPR, after a penalty from Finnish striker Teemu Pukki put City ahead in the second half. Back came QPR though, and they managed to equalise via a Bright Osayi-Samuel penalty to share the spoils.

The Canaries have lost just twice in their last 17 games, and just once at home all through this season - exactly the kind of form that will see them right amongst the promotion-chasing pack come the end of the season.

It is no coincidence that Norwich's rich vein of form has come about just as Pukki has started finding the back of the net again.

Pukki has scored 11 goals in 20 league appearances this season, as many as he netted in 36 games in the Premier League last year, and Farke will be keen to keep his main man fit if his side are to secure promotion.

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Valerien Ismael has made quite the impact at Oakwell since joining the Tykes earlier in the season and is experiencing something of a dream start to his managerial career in England.

After former manager Gerhard Struber navigated the Tykes away from relegation - including a memorable night away to Brentford on the last day of the season - Ismael has taken the team into the top half of the league and is showing no signs of slowing.

Barnsley sit top of the form table and fear no one as they continue to surprise the rest of the division, currently sitting only two points off the playoff places.

To continue this run, the Tykes will need to defy this fixture's history, having not beaten Norwich away from home in the league since 1937, both drawing and losing eight times in their 16 subsequent visits.

Norwich City Championship form: WWWWLD

Barnsley Championship form: WWWLWW


Team News

Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul pictured in March 2020© Reuters

Farke will be unable to call upon Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul, young defender Bali Mumba, winger Onel Hernandez, young attacker Adam Idah and right-back Sam Byram.

There are also doubts over German midfielder Lukas Rupp's availability, who will face a late fitness test.

For Ismael, there will be absentees such as Finnish centre-back Aapo Halme, German midfielder Mike Bahre, right-back Jordan Williams and left-back Ben Williams.

Similar to Farke, he will be able to name an unchanged starting XI should he wish to.

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

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Walton; Sollbauer, Helik, Andersen; Brittain, Kane, Mowatt, Styles; Adeboyejo, Woodrow, Chaplin



SM words green background

We say: Norwich City 2-1 Barnsley

Barnsley could prove to be a real test for Farke's men, and while the Canaries have the firepower to come out on top, it will certainly be a tight encounter. If City can find their top gear, we feel they will have too much for the South Yorkshire outfit, coming away with a narrow win.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 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.Over 1.5:data


ID:428631:cQx

How you voted: Norwich vs Barnsley

Norwich City
75.7%
Draw
20.0%
Barnsley
4.3%
70
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Norwich City manager Daniel Farke pictured on November 7, 2020
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Daniel Farke "can't believe" Norwich failed to beat QPR
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich24155433211250
2Swansea CitySwansea24137429131646
3Bournemouth24119438201842
4Brentford22118336211541
5Reading2312473428640
6Watford2210752617937
7Middlesbrough22106628181036
8Stoke CityStoke249962723436
9Bristol City2311392524136
10Barnsley24104102731-434
11Blackburn RoversBlackburn2496939281133
12Luton TownLuton249692126-533
13Preston North EndPreston24102123033-332
14Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2494112834-631
15Cardiff CityCardiff2385103027329
16Millwall2351172024-426
17Coventry CityCoventry236892231-926
18Birmingham CityBirmingham2468101829-1126
19Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2467111927-825
20Queens Park RangersQPR235992230-824
21Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2367101523-819
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham2154122029-919
23Derby CountyDerby2347121425-1119
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2336141635-1915

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