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

Norwich City play host to Cardiff City on Saturday looking for the win that may move them into the Championship playoff places.

At a time when the Canaries sit in seventh position in the standings, Cardiff are back down in 14th position having lost their way in recent months.

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Match preview

Ahead of the reverse fixture between these two sides on November 11, David Wagner was likely a defeat away from losing his job as Norwich boss.

However, a 3-2 victory in South Wales acted as the catalyst for a turnaround that now sees Norwich very much in the running for promotion to the Premier League.

A total of nine wins and just four defeats have come from 17 Championship fixtures, with the Canaries having also lost just one of their last seven games.

More recently, home triumphs have been posted against Coventry City and Watford, the latter by a 4-2 scoreline after the Hornets had battled back from two goals adrift.

The East Anglian outfit now boast one of the best home records in the division, registering 32 points from 16 games, at a time when Cardiff manager Erol Bulut may have preferred a different fixture.

Coincidentally, defeat in the reverse fixture ended Cardiff's three-game undefeated run and played a part in their drop off over the past three months.

Cardiff have now lost six of their last eight matches in all competitions, although the two successes in question came away at Queens Park Rangers and Watford.

Since the win over the latter, though, 2-0 defeats have been posted against Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion respectively, pushing the Bluebirds out of immediate playoff contention.

There is now an eight-point gap to sixth place, leaving Cardiff and Bulut in a position where they need to deliver maximum points from the game at Carrow Road.

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Team News

Wagner must decide whether to stick with Jacob Sorensen in central defence or recall either Danny Batth or Grant Hanley.

If a further change is made, Christian Fassnacht could return on the flank ahead of Onel Hernandez, while Marcelino Nunez is an option if fresh legs are desired.

Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey is pushing for a Cardiff start after coming through two substitute outings since his recovery from a long-term injury.

The Wales captain would likely replace Rubin Colwill if that decision is taken by Bulut, who could also restore Manolis Siopis and Kion Etete to the team.

Bulut went with a back three against West Brom and it remains to be seen whether that was a one-off or a permanent change of formation.

Norwich City possible starting lineup: Gunn; Stacey, Batth, Gibson, Giannoulis; Sara, McLean; Fassnacht, Barnes, Sainz; Sargent

Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Horvath; Goutas, Phillips, Collins; Ng, Wintle, Siopis, Wilson-Ebrand; Ramsey; Etete, Diedhiou

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We say: Norwich City 2-1 Cardiff City

The pressure remains on Wagner to deliver at Norwich, even despite their revival of late. This may turn out to be a tense affair with the stakes rising for the Canaries, but we expect them to come through in a competitive encounter.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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