Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Championship clash between Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Norwich City play host to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from their opening-weekend defeat in the Championship.
The Canaries take on a team in Blackburn who have scored goals for fun during their first two games of the season in all competitions.
Match preview
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When Johannes Hoff Thorup became the new head coach of Norwich, he was aware of the challenge that he faced on the back of their disappointing end to the last campaign.
However, the Dane may not have foreseen conceding five goals to Oxford United and Stevenage, highlighting the size of the task ahead of him.
Norwich first went down to a 2-0 defeat to newcomers Oxford before being involved in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Stevenage three days later.
Thorup’s side were twice pegged back by their League One opponents, although the positives were that all four goals were netted in the opening hour.
That also ended a run of six competitive matches without success, the hope now being that a first such win at Carrow Road since April 6 can be posted on Saturday.
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From the perspective of Blackburn, they could not have enjoyed a better start to the campaign, benefitting from a pre-season under John Eustace after his arrival at the start of 2024.
A total of 10 goals have been scored in wins over Derby County and Stockport County, albeit with three strikes having also been conceded.
Nevertheless, Eustace will only be concerned with the end result, encouraged that Rovers have put together periods where they have scored at least three goals in quick succession.
With further additions likely to be made in due course, this could be a team that continues to surprise throughout this campaign, even if Sammie Szmodics departs Ewood Park.
Norwich City Championship form:
Norwich City form (all competitions):
Blackburn Rovers Championship form:
Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):
Team News
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Despite Norwich’s four goals against Stevenage, Josh Sargent should be recalled down the centre of the attack.
Abu Kamara and Amankwah Forson have put themselves in contention for a start having chipped in with one goal and two assists between them in the EFL Cup.
With Szmodics still at the club, Eustace must decide whether to risk last season’s Championship goalscorer from the start, unlike against Derby.
Yuki Ohashi is also pushing for an opportunity in the final third on the back of his goal and assist versus Stockport.
The rest of the Blackburn XI could be similar to the one that started against Derby, Andreas Weimann another player who may have to stay patient.
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Stacey, Hanley, Duffy, Doyle; Nunez, McLean, Gibbs; Kamara, Sargent, Sainz
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Tronstad; Rankin-Costello, Dolan, Hedges; Szmodics
We say: Norwich City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
While Norwich could improve under their new boss as the games pass by, it may not come in time for Saturday’s fixture. Blackburn have looked hugely impressive over the past week and we are backing them to earn another victory on their travels.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.