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[monks data]
Norwich logo
Championship
May 2, 2015 at 12.15pm UK
 
Fulham logo

4-2

Johnson (36', 91'), Redmond (39'), Dorrans (81')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Smith (83'), Johnson (92' og.)

Preview: Norwich City vs. Fulham

Sports Mole previews the Championship match at Carrow Road between Norwich City and Fulham.

Norwich City host Fulham on Saturday afternoon aiming to return to winning ways ahead of their attempt at earning promotion through the playoffs.

Fulham have little to play for at Carrow Road, but they will want to maintain their recent unbeaten run before heading into the summer break.



Norwich City

Alex Neil manager of Norwich City motivates his team during the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Middlesbrough at Carrow Road on April 17, 2015© Getty Images

Earlier this month, Norwich had moved themselves into a position where they could be considered favourites for automatic promotion, but failure to win either of their last two games has left them having to settle for a playoff place.

There will be a feeling of disappointment at Carrow Road, but ahead of their final game of the season, they must lift themselves in preparation for the two-legged tie that awaits them.

Their momentum was lost in the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough. The Canaries had been heavily fancied to inflict another away defeat on their promotion rivals but the loss saw them lose vital ground on the top two positions.

After playing against Rotherham United with 10 men for 64 minutes, the East Anglian outfit could count themselves unfortunate to concede a late equaliser, but it was a goal that put paid to their chances of automatic promotion.

At one point this season, Norwich boasted arguably the most potent attack in the division, but they need to rediscover their scoring touch after netting just eight times in six games.

Manager Alex Neil won't be fearful of a playoff meeting with rivals Ipswich Town, but if they do emerge as their opponents, the Scot won't want to go into the tie without a win in three games.

Recent form: WWWWLD



Fulham

Fulham Manager Kit Symons attends the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on December 29, 2014© Getty Images

Fulham have endured a dismal campaign where relegation once looked like a real possibility, but the Cottagers have showed recently that there might be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Last month, there were calls for Kit Symons to depart the club, but the Welshman has turned things around with a five-match unbeaten run.

After three successive draws, the West London outfit have defeated both Blackpool and Middlesbrough to move into 17th spot - their highest position since the start of February.

The club's supporters expect more from a club of their size, but avoiding defeat in this game would leave them with plenty of optimism ahead of next season.

This contest also represents a final opportunity for Ross McCormack to justify his £11m price tag. The Scot hasn't enjoyed the best of years after his move from Leeds United, but seven goals in six games is a strong return during the final weeks of the campaign

Recent form: LDDDWW



Team News

Gary Hooper of Norwich scores their fisrt goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Swansea City at Carrow Road on December 15, 2013© Getty Images

Norwich will be without striker Lewis Grabban after he was sent off during the first half of last week's draw at Rotherham.

The 27-year-old is likely to be replaced by Gary Hooper, who has scored twice in his last four games.

Symons has revealed that Nikolay Bodurov, Jack Grimmer and Kostas Stafylidis have all recovered from injury and are available for selection.

However, Scott Parker is expected to remain absent as he continues to nurse an ankle injury.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy, Martin, R.Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Dorrans, Howson, Redmond, Hoolahan, Johnson, Hooper

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli, Hoogland, Hutchinson, Turner, Richards, Tunnicliffe, Guthrie, Kavanagh, Ruiz, Rodallega, McCormack



Head To Head

Remarkably, Norwich are yet to register a victory over Fulham in their history, with the Cottagers emerging victorious in 11 of their 15 meetings.

Three out of the last four fixtures at Carrow Road have been drawn, but Fulham registered a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture this season thanks to a goal from Sean Kavanagh.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



Sports Mole Logo

We say: Norwich City 2-2 Fulham

A few weeks ago, this would have been seen as a home banker but Fulham's improvement means that they have a chance of an upset on the East Coast. Norwich will be desperate to get back to winning ways though, and that could see the sides cancel each other out.



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Written by
Darren Plant
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