Championship | Gameweek 17

Nov 26, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Carrow Road

Norwichvs.Plymouth

Match preview

Both Norwich and West Brom created two big chances during their clash, with the sides also having an equal share of possession.

The Canaries lost the last three games, drawing with West Brom in one of them. They haven't won since beating Hull 4-0 on 5 October.

After his team drew with West Brom, boss Johannes Hoff Thorup said he felt they'd been conceding goals too easily recently. He said: "I think we need to look at that. We shouldn't be conceding as many goals as we are at the moment." "That's definitely something we need to work on."

In their last six games, Norwich have let in 13 goals and scored eight times. In the six games before that, they only let in six.

In fact, Thorup's side have let the opposition score 24 times in the Championship this season. That makes them the league's joint sixth-worst defensive team, but their tally of 25 goals made means they're the division's joint fourth-best offensive club.

The team's performance at home has been mixed. They've lost one, drawn four and won three of their last eight games at Carrow Road.

Plymouth were lucky to get a draw against Watford. They needed a goal in the 96th minute to avoid defeat, and the Hornets had a lot of good chances in the final third.

However, manager Wayne Rooney felt his players deserved to leave the pitch with at least a point, telling reporters: "I was confident we could get a late goal because we've done it a few times now and there is that belief, especially when the fans get behind you."

Rooney's side are just two points ahead of 22nd-placed Hull City, who are in the bottom three, but only three points separate his team from 11th-placed Derby County.

The Pilgrims have drawn two and won one of their last three games, but they've only won once in their past seven matches.

The visitors have been struggling on the road for a while now. Plymouth have drawn two and lost seven of their nine away games this season.

Recent Performance

Norwich City Championship form:DDLLLD

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:LDLWDD

Team News

It looks like the hosts will be without defender Kellen Fisher, who's picked up too many yellow cards.

Midfielders Anis Ben Slimane and Marcelino Nunez are out until late December and early January respectively, so Norwich might start Jacob Lungi Sorensen, Emiliano Marcondes and Christian Fassnacht in midfield.

Up front, Ashley Barnes and Joshua Sargent are out, so Throup might go with Forson Amankwah, Ante Crnac and Borja Sainz in a front three.

Plymouth will also have to deal with injuries to goalkeeper Conor Hazard, as well as defenders Brendan Galloway and Joe Edwards.

It looks like Rooney might start with a back three of Kornel Szucs, Julio Pleguezuelo and Lewis Gibson in front of goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.

Morgan Whittaker was taken off as a result of injury against Watford, and he joins fellow attackers Ibrahim Cissoko and Muhamed Tijani on the treatment table.

Callum Wright came on for Whittaker in the second half against the Hornets, and he might be joined up front by Andre Gray and Michael Obafemi.

Possible starting lineup

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Hills; Sorensen, Marcondes, Fassnacht; Amankwah, Crnac, Sainz

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Grimshaw; Szucs, Pleguezuelo, Gibson; Sorinola, Randell, Gyabi, Mumba; Whittaker, Gray, Obafemi