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

Norwich City play host to Millwall on Sunday looking to extend their unbeaten start to the new Championship campaign.

While the Canaries begin the next batch of fixtures in sixth place in the standings, Millwall are 15th after a mixed opening to the season.

Match preview

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When taking the decision to refresh his Norwich squad during the summer, there were far more positives than negatives for David Wagner after such a disappointing campaign last time around.

As it stands, it is so far so good for the German and the Canaries, four points being accumulated from two games in the Championship and a win being posted by a much-changed side against Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Cup.

The one downside is letting slip a lead on multiple occasions during a 4-4 draw at Southampton last weekend, with the Saints equalising with a 96th-minute penalty.

Nevertheless, Wagner can be pleased with a share of the spoils against a potential promotion rival, and it sets his team up to build on their start against Millwall.

Remarkably, four of Norwich's seven goals in all competitions this season have come in the closing seconds of either half, something that their opponents will be wary of ahead of this encounter.

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When Millwall upset Middlesbrough on the opening weekend of the season, it appeared that Gary Rowett's team were well prepared to make another playoff push.

Although that may still remain the case, a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Reading in the EFL Cup was followed by losing to Bristol City by a solitary goal in the league.

With three points to show from their first two games, Rowett can be satisfied to a certain degree, yet he will be desperate to see a response from his squad who have netted just one goal in six halves of football.

Almost a year to the day, the corresponding fixture took place in 2022-23 with Norwich prevailing 2-0 on that occasion, and they are unbeaten in their last seven matches against the Londoners.

Team News

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Having made a number of alterations for the trip to Loftus Road in midweek, Wagner is expected to revert back to the Norwich side that started at Southampton.

Although Tony Springett suffered a knock from a heavy challenge in that game, resulting in his early withdrawal, the youngster would not have started this fixture.

Christian Fassnacht is likely to remain among the replacements, despite scoring versus Southampton, while Jonathan Rowe will be looking to add to the three strikes that he has already netted in all competitions.

With Kevin Nisbet having failed to impress during his first two league starts for Millwall, Rowett may consider handing a recall to Tom Bradshaw.

George Saville is also an option in the centre of midfield, potentially ahead of another new signing in Casper De Norre.

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Rowe, McLean, Hernandez; Sara; Barnes, Sargent

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Sarkic; Hutchinson, Cooper, Wallace; McNamara, Saville, Mitchell, Bryan; Flemming, Bradshaw, Watmore

We say: Norwich City 2-1 Millwall

While it is still early days in Norwich's season, the signs are there that improvements have been made under Wagner. Millwall have the qualities to earn a share of the spoils at Carrow Road, yet we feel that the home side will battle their way to another three points in front of their own supporters.

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