Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Championship clash between Norwich City and Hull City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Norwich City and Hull City square off at Carrow Road on Saturday with both teams having finally found some form in the Championship.
These two teams sit in ninth and 10th position in the standings respectively having each put together three-game undefeated runs.
Match preview
© Imago
Having started his Norwich reign with a three-game winless streak in the Championship, Johannes Hoff Thorup would have recognised that he was up against it to win over the Canaries fanbase.
However, Norwich have since put together a run that has featured just one defeat in seven outings, the setback in question coming by a 1-0 scoreline at Swansea City.
Seven points from a triple-header with Watford, Derby County and Leeds United followed, Thorup’s side scoring eight goals in the process.
There would have been disappointment in letting slip a lead against the latter in midweek, yet it further extended Norwich’s outstanding record in East Anglia.
They have put together a 19-game unbeaten streak on home territory, not suffering defeat since Blackburn Rovers came out on top on November 5.
Tim Walter is another head coach that has realised that time has been required for his new-look Hull side to adapt to the new methods that he has introduced on Humberside.
Nevertheless, with three successive wins under their belt, the Tigers are now one of the form teams in the Championship, scoring 10 goals in the process.
A 3-1 comeback victory at Stoke City set the ball rolling before they defeated struggling Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers by 4-1 and 3-1 scorelines respectively.
Hull are the only team in the division to have won their last three games, now sitting just three points adrift of fifth-placed Leeds.
Norwich City Championship form:
Norwich City form (all competitions):
Hull City Championship form:
Team News
© Imago
With Jose Cordoba needing to drop out of the Norwich XI with a knee issue, Jack Stacey could return at full-back with Callum Doyle moving into the centre.
The alternative is bringing Grant Hanley into the middle as a straight replacement, but the rest of the starting lineup may stay the same.
Jacob Sorensen, Liam Gibbs and Ashley Barnes are among those who remain on the sidelines.
Walter must decide whether to recall the likes of Oscar Zambrano and Marvin Mehlem on the back of the victory at Loftus Road.
Regan Slater and Xavier Simons would likely be the duo to drop out should that decision be taken, but the rest of the starting lineup may remain intact.
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Fisher, Duffy, Hanley, Doyle; Nunez, McLean; Crnac, Slimane, Sainz; Sargent
Hull City possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Drameh; Mehlem, Zambrano, Palmer; Belloumi, Bedia, Millar
We say: Norwich City 2-2 Hull City
Everything points to this contest being an entertaining fixture with both teams playing well enough to earn maximum points. However, we must respect Norwich’s long-standing unbeaten run at Carrow Road, predicting a share of the spoils that they would ultimately be disappointed with.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.