Championship | Gameweek 21

Dec 15, 2024 at 3pm UK

Carrow Road

Norwichvs.Burnley

Match preview

Having been relegated from the Premier League last season, the visitors look like serious contenders for an immediate return to the top flight.

Burnley are just four points behind leaders Sheffield United and three points adrift of second-placed Leeds United.

Head coach Scott Parker has made a fine start to life at Turf Moor after replacing Vincent Kompany in the dugout during the summer.

Part of the reason for Parker's success at the club has been the strength of their defence, with the Clarets boasting the best defensive record in the Championship, having conceded just seven goals.

After a 1-0 defeat at Millwall at the start of November, the Clarets went five games without conceding before a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough last weekend.

Prior to the draw with Boro, Burnley had won four consecutive league games, but were frustrated by a goalless draw with Derby County in midweek.

After dropping points in their last two home games, Burnley will be looking forward to going on the road again this weekend.

The Clarets have taken 18 points from 10 away games this season, a record only matched by Sheffield United, who have 19 points from 11 away games.

Parker's men will be confident of getting a result this weekend as they face a Norwich side who have conceded 30 goals in 20 league games this season.

The Canaries took a small step towards improving their defensive record on Tuesday night after a goalless draw with Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Prior to the point in Hampshire, Johannes Hoff Thorup's men had failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 Championship games.

With just three league clean sheets so far this season, it has been a problem for the Yellows all year as they have struggled for consistency.

Despite their defensive woes, Norwich have a potent attack that has scored 35 goals this season - a tally second only to Leeds, who have scored one more than the Canaries.

Much of this attacking success has been down to Borja Sainz, who leads the league with 15 goals to his name.

If Norwich can find a way to sort out their defensive problems, their attacking prowess could make all the difference to their play-off hopes.

Recent Performance

Norwich City Championship form:LDWWLD

Burnley Championship form:WWWWDD

Team News

The hosts will be without midfielders Liam Gibbs (hamstring) and Gabe Forsyth (knee) until the end of the month.

In further bad news for the hosts, Josh Sargent has a groin injury and is not expected to return until January at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the visitors have several injury concerns in attack, with Lyle Foster (knee), Manuel Benson (calf) and Mike Tresor (leg) all out.

Jordan Beyer has a hamstring injury, while Aaron Ramsey (ACL) and John Egan (leg) are out until the New Year.

Possible starting lineup

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Doyle, Cordoba, Duffy, Stacey; Marcondes, McLean, Nunez; Barnes, Crnac, Sainz

Burnley possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Pires, Humphreys, Esteve, Roberts; Brownhill, Cullen, Sarmiento, Laurent, Anthony; Flemming