Norwich City vs Sheffield United
Date: 08/12/2019
K/O: 14:00
Venue: Carrow Road
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Norwich City welcome Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United to Carrow Road, with Daniel Farke’s side aiming to go within one point of the Premier League relegation zone.
Last time out Norwich were second best as they were beaten by the Saints in a narrow 2-1 defeat. The Canaries must try and plug their defensive leeks which saw them concede two poor goals at Saint Mary’s on Wednesday. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side went 2-0 up with goals from Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand before Teemu Pukki got one back to make it a close finish.
The Blades also suffered defeat as the Magpies won 2-0 at Bramall Lane on Thursday evening. Allan Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey were the goal scorers for Newcastle as Steve Bruce’s side prevented Sheffield United from scoring. If Sheffield are to improve they must try and convert their chances into goals, as their defence is proving to have some issues in recent games.
Norwich are currently on course to be relegated and just haven’t been up to scratch. They started the season in fine fettle, scoring goals and winning games, but since then they have dropped off and lost too many matches. The Canaries have three wins, two draws and 10 defeats in the league this season, leaving them with a total of 11 points and 19th placed. But this week could offer them the opportunity to get back to winning ways, as they face one of the teams they were promoted with. Interestingly, both sides have not faced each other in the Premier League since the opening two seasons of the competition, when Norwich won three of the four meetings.
Sheffield United are a whole different story. Since being promoted the Blades have hit the ground running and are still unbeaten away from home. On the contrary to the Canaries, Wilder’s side have won four games, drawn seven and lost four – leaving them in 9th place with a total of 19 points. The Blades are often labelled as the underdogs but have proved pundits wrong this season with performances filled with passion, determination and sheer will power which has seen them skyrocket up the Premier League table.
For Sheffield United to improve they must try and put their chances away. In their last two games, the Blades have only netted once and the goals seem to be drying up. The problem is not creating the chances, it’s putting them away.
In fact, Sheffield have created a catalogue of great chances in recent games but seem to be lacking that finishing touch. This clash against Daniel Farke’s men could be a chance to score some goals as Norwich have been nothing short of woeful defensively this season.
If Norwich are to stand any chance against their high flying opponents, they must tighten up defensively. The Canaries have conceded 32 goals this season which is only worsened by Southampton on 33. This averages a total of 2.1 goals conceded per game which is just not good enough for the Premier League. The Blades aren’t the most dangerous in the league, but they do create chances and Farke’s men must be very wary of Lys Mousset who is bang in form. The French striker has five goals in five starts for his side and is proving to provide some much-needed impetus for Sheffield United.
Team News
Norwich
Norwich are still without the services of Grant Hanley, Josip Drmic and Timm Klose who remain sidelined ahead of the visit of Sheffield United. Farkle added that he has no new injury concerns after the midweek defeat to the Saints.
He did mention that Alex Tettey had come through a 45-minute run-out unscathed following his recent muscle problems, so he could possibly feature.
Jamal Lewis could be an alternative pick at left-back, though Sam Byram could feature after his return from injury.
Sheffield United
Chris Wilder said on Friday that he had no injury concerns after the midweek clash with Newcastle United.
Adjustments seem likely up top, with Lys Mousset and David McGoldrick having been rested in midweek and the duo will be expected to swap with Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp, while Callum Robinson is another option upfront if Wilder requires his services.
The Newcastle and Norwich games were less than 72 hours apart so it is possible that Luke Freeman and Muhamed Besic could get potentially feature at Carrow Road. Though John Fleck and Oliver Norwood played very little in the Championship last season even when fixtures got hectic, so it’s likely we’ll see a fairly regular Sheffield United side.
Predicted Starting XIs
Norwich City (4-3-2-1): Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Byram; Trybull, Tettey; Cantwell Kenny Mclean, Hernández; Pukki
Sheffield United (3-5-2): Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Mousset, McGoldrick
Prediction: Norwich City 1 – 2 Sheffield United
Sheffield United have been magnificent on the road this season and I expect them to carry on that unbeaten record. Despite Norwich starting so well I cant see them causing Untied too many problems. Wilder’s side have mostly looked strong at the back and just need to find that finishing touch to start putting games to bed, and I think they’ll do that this Sunday.
