EFL Championship | Gameweek 41

Apr 8, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Carrow Road

Norwich vs Sunderland

Match preview

The home side will be concerned that they conceded almost twice and missed three good chances against Plymouth despite having 75% of the possession.

Norwich's defeat means they have kept just one clean sheet in 10 games and conceded seven goals in their last four.

The Canaries' hopes of claiming the fourth and final promotion play-off spot are all but extinguished as they sit eight points adrift of sixth-placed Bristol City with just six games remaining.

Boss Johannes Hoff Thorup's side have been in poor form, failing to win five of their last six matches and losing three of their last four.

Norwich's home record is mixed, with two defeats, two draws and two wins in their last six trips to Carrow Road.

As for Sunderland, they can perhaps count themselves lucky to have taken all three points against West Brom, as they managed just two shots on target to their opponents' 11 and only 0.16 xG from open play.

The Black Cats beat Norwich 2-1 in the Championship on 21 December and have won five and drawn one of their last eight meetings with the hosts.

Sunderland are eight points adrift of second-placed Sheffield United, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot, but their rivals have to play first-placed Burnley in their final six games of the season.

Head coach Regis Le Bris has overseen back-to-back wins and two clean sheets for his side, although they have only found the back of the net once in each of those games.

The visitors' away form has been strong going into Tuesday's clash, having won four of their last six away from home.

Recent Performance

Norwich City Championship form:DDLLWL

Sunderland Championship form:WWDLWW

Team News

Norwich do not have too many absentees, but they will be without defenders Benjamin Chrisene and Gabriel Forsyth.

Jacob Lungi Sorensen, Shane Duffy and Jose Cordoba all started in the last win over West Brom on 29 March, when they kept a clean sheet.

Winger Lewis Dobbin has also been ruled out, but regulars Ante Crnac and Borja Sainz are available to support striker Josh Sargent.

Unfortunately for Sunderland, defenders Ajibola Alese, Daniel Ballard, Dennis Cirkin, Jenson Seelt and Niall Huggins are among those sidelined.

Given that Alan Browne, Chris Mepham, Luke O'Nien and Trai Hume kept a clean sheet last time out, they are almost certain to feature in a back four.

Strikers Ian Poveda, Jayden Danns and Romaine Mundle have all been ruled out through injury, so expect Chris Rigg to support Wilson Isidor up front.

Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil are likely to partner each other in a double pivot with midfielder Salis Abdul Samed set to miss Tuesday's game.

Possible starting lineup

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Sorensen, Duffy, Cordoba; Stacey, Slimane, McLean, Fisher; Crnac, Sargent, Sainz

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Browne, Mepham, O'Nien, Hume; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Mundle; Isidor