Championship | Gameweek 34

Feb 22, 2025 at 3pm UK

Carrow Road

Norwich vs Stoke

Match preview

Norwich sit 12th in the Championship table with 44 points from 33 games, four points adrift of the play-off places ahead of their home clash with Stoke.

Johannes Hoff Thorup's side have gone three games without a win since back-to-back victories over Swansea and Watford.

Those victories were followed by a draw with Derby County and a narrow defeat at Preston North End before a 1-1 away draw with Hull City last Saturday.

Josh Sargeant scored early in the second period to cancel out Hull's first-half opener and ensure his side took a point from their trip to the MKM Stadium.

Norwich will be keen to take something away from Saturday's clash, having avoided defeat in each of their last eight meetings with Stoke (W5, D3).

In fact, the Canaries have won each of their last three home meetings with Stoke, including a narrow 1-0 victory at Carrow Road last season.

Stoke have moved six points clear of the bottom three after winning two of their last three games to boost their Championship survival hopes.

The Potters followed up a 2-1 win over Hull City with a 2-0 defeat at Bristol City before returning to winning ways at home to Swansea last Saturday.

Mark Robins' side came from a goal down to beat the Swans 3-1 thanks to goals from Wouter Burger, Bae Jun-ho and Lewis Baker.

Having gone four home games without defeat, the Potters will now travel for Saturday's Championship clash with the visitors looking to improve on their recent away form, having won just one of their last seven league games away from home (D3, L3).

Having struggled in recent meetings with Norwich, Stoke will be hoping to take all three points from Norwich for the first time since a 1-0 away win in October 2018.

Stoke have scored just three goals in their last six head-to-head encounters and will be wary of another goal-shy display against the Canaries, who are the joint lowest scorers in the division.

Recent Performance

Norwich City Championship form:LWWDLD

Stoke City Championship form:DLDWLW

Stoke City form (all competitions):LDWLLW

Team News

Norwich are likely to be without Liam Gibbs, Gabriel Forsyth, Amankwah Forson and Emiliano Marcondes, while it remains to be seen if Marcelino Nunez will be fit after sitting out the draw against Hull.

Captain Kenny McLean is also a doubt after missing the last two games through illness.

Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle will serve a two-match ban after picking up his 10th yellow card of the Championship season last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Potters are still without Sol Sidibe, Ryan Mmaee, Lynden Gooch, Eric Bocat, Ben Wilmot and Sam Gallagher.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand will be assessed after appearing to pick up a knock during his late substitute appearance against Swansea.

Enda Stevens is hoping to be fit for Saturday's away trip after missing the last two games with a calf problem.

Possible starting lineup

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Fisher, Duffy, Cordoba, Mahovo; Wright, Slimane, Sorensen; Dobbin, Sainz, Sargeant

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Rose, Stevens; Pearson, Burger; Moran, Bae, Koumas; Al-Hamadi