Norwich Vs Stoke

Norwich City will be eager to halt their three-match winless streak when they take on Stoke City in a crucial Championship encounter at Carrow Road on Saturday. Meanwhile, their opponents, the Potters, will aim to build momentum by securing back-to-back victories following their recent success against Swansea City.

As the Championship season progresses, Norwich find themselves positioned 12th in the league table with 44 points from 33 games. Despite being four points adrift of the playoff spots, they remain in contention and will be determined to strengthen their chances with a positive result on home turf. Under the guidance of Johannes Hoff Thorup, the Canaries have experienced mixed fortunes in recent weeks. After securing successive victories over Swansea and Watford, they have since failed to claim maximum points in their last three outings.

Norwich’s recent slump began with a frustrating draw against Derby County, followed by a narrow defeat to Preston North End. Their latest fixture saw them battle to a 1-1 draw against Hull City at the MKM Stadium. In that encounter, Josh Sargeant found the net early in the second half, equalizing after Hull had taken the lead in the first period. While Norwich managed to salvage a point, they will be keen to return to winning ways and assert their authority at Carrow Road.

The Canaries will take encouragement from their impressive head-to-head record against Stoke, having avoided defeat in their last eight encounters with the Potters. During this period, Norwich have emerged victorious on five occasions while settling for a draw in the remaining three games. Furthermore, they boast an excellent home record against their upcoming opponents, winning each of the last three meetings at Carrow Road, including a slender 1-0 triumph in last season’s corresponding fixture.

On the other hand, Stoke City approach this contest with renewed optimism after a vital victory over Swansea in their most recent match. The Potters have managed to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone, currently sitting six points clear of the bottom three. With survival in the Championship being their primary objective, they will be keen to build on their recent resurgence and claim another crucial three points.

Mark Robins’s side has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, having won two of their last three games. Stoke’s positive run began with a 2-1 victory against Hull City, but their momentum was briefly halted by a disappointing 2-0 loss to Bristol City. However, they responded in emphatic fashion last weekend by defeating Swansea 3-1 at home. Despite falling behind early in the contest, Stoke produced a spirited fightback, with goals from Wouter Burger, Bae Jun-ho, and Lewis Baker securing a much-needed win.

While their recent home form has been promising—going four matches unbeaten at the bet365 Stadium—Stoke have struggled to replicate such success on their travels. The Potters have managed just one victory in their last seven away league outings, with three draws and three defeats in that run. Their inconsistency on the road will be a concern as they prepare for a challenging test against a Norwich side that has historically had the upper hand in this fixture.

Stoke’s difficulties in this matchup extend beyond their recent struggles, as they have found it particularly hard to breach Norwich’s defense. The Potters have scored only three goals across their last six meetings with the Canaries, a statistic that highlights their offensive woes in this fixture. Their lack of firepower could be further exacerbated by their overall struggles in front of goal this season. Stoke are currently the joint lowest-scoring team in the division, which raises concerns about their ability to break down Norwich’s defense.

The last time Stoke managed to defeat Norwich was in October 2018, when they claimed a 1-0 away victory. Since then, the Canaries have dominated this fixture, and the Potters will need to produce a significantly improved performance if they are to end their winless run against their upcoming opponents. With crucial points on the line, Stoke must find a way to address their goal-scoring issues and overcome the psychological hurdle that has plagued them in recent encounters with Norwich.

As both sides prepare for Saturday’s showdown, Norwich will be confident in their ability to deliver a strong performance in front of their home supporters. Their recent head-to-head dominance over Stoke, coupled with their solid form at Carrow Road, suggests they have the upper hand in this contest. However, the Championship is known for its unpredictability, and the Potters will be determined to defy the odds by securing a rare victory against their Norwich counterparts.

For Norwich, securing all three points will not only end their winless run but also keep them within touching distance of the playoff spots. With only a few months remaining in the season, every game carries significant importance, and the Canaries cannot afford to drop points if they hope to mount a serious push for promotion. Johannes Hoff Thorup will be urging his side to seize the initiative and capitalize on Stoke’s vulnerabilities to ensure they come away with a positive result.

Meanwhile, for Stoke, this fixture presents an opportunity to make a statement and gain further momentum in their bid for survival. If they can produce a disciplined defensive performance while making the most of their attacking opportunities, they may just have a chance to pull off an upset. However, their poor record against Norwich and their struggles away from home indicate that they face a tough challenge.

Ultimately, Saturday’s clash at Carrow Road is set to be a fascinating encounter between two sides with different ambitions. Norwich will be looking to reignite their playoff hopes, while Stoke will be desperate to boost their survival bid. With plenty at stake for both teams, an intriguing battle awaits as the Championship season continues to unfold.