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Premier League | Gameweek 18
Dec 21, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Wolves logo

1-2

Cantwell (17')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Saiss (60'), Jimenez (81')

Preview: Norwich City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Saturday's Premier League fixture between Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers make the long trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City looking to respond to last weekend's last-gasp defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile, Norwich welcome the West Midlands outfit to East Anglia on Saturday afternoon having held second-placed Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.


Match preview

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo on September 28, 2019© Reuters

While Wolves received widespread plaudits for their performance against Spurs last weekend, the 2-1 defeat to the North London side ultimately ended their 11-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Going a prolonged period without suffering defeat resulted in Wolves moving as high as fifth position, but the club now find themselves in a situation where a second successive setback could lead to dropping down into the bottom half of the standings.

Given their overall progression in recent months, Nuno Espirito Santo will not be too concerned, although the competitive nature for a top-six spot this season means that Wolves can ill afford a run of three games without a win.

However, the Portuguese may feel that his close-knit squad can only have benefited from having no match in midweek - something which has not happened since the beginning of the campaign.

In theory, the small rest period has come at the right time with Wolves facing back-to-back encounters with Manchester City and Liverpool after Saturday's visit to the east coast.

As for Norwich, they head into the game having failed to emerge victorious from any of their last four outings, but Daniel Farke will be pleased with the recent performances from his team.

After being unfortunate to miss out on points against Southampton and Sheffield United respectively, Norwich impressed in claiming a draw away at in-form Leicester last weekend.

The Canaries found themselves under pressure in the East Midlands, especially during the second half, but there were times when they should have perhaps taken advantage of opportunities towards the end of the contest.

Despite having mixed feelings at the end of the game, Farke would have been delighted with the mindset of his players, who could have easily accepted that a point against the title challengers was more than respectable.

Ahead of home clashes with Wolves, Spurs and Crystal Palace, the result and manner of the performance should put Norwich in a good frame of mind as they bid to make up ground on 17th-placed Aston Villa, who they also face over the Christmas period.

Norwich City Premier League form: LWDLLD

Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League form: WWDWDL
Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions): DDWDWL


Team News

Teemu Pukki celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Norwich City and Manchester City on September 14, 2019© Reuters

Despite sustaining a fractured toe, Teemu Pukki is currently expected to be involved for Norwich at the weekend.

Providing that there are no other late fitness issues, Farke could name the same starting lineup from the meeting with Leicester.

Nuno is also likely to select an unchanged first XI, with Willy Boly and Morgan Gibbs-White the only players sidelined through injury.

However, Nuno may be wary regarding the use of Ruben Neves over the Christmas period, aware that the Portuguese is only one yellow card away from serving a ban against either Man City or Liverpool.

Adama Traore, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez are again expected to feature in attack for the visitors.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Byram; Tettey, Trybull; Buendia, McLean, Cantwell; Pukki

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Traore, Jimenez, Jota


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We say: Norwich City 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

With both clubs showing a lack of consistency in defence, we think that there will be plenty of goals in this contest. Both clubs require results for different reasons, and that could lead to a share of the spoils after a back-and-forth encounter.



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Tables header RHS
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3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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