Norwich City will look to earn breathing space above the relegation zone when they play host to Everton at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon.

Everton are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, while Norwich have won just once in 11 matches.

Norwich

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Alex Neil has achieved so much in his short managerial career, but the Scot will be under no illusions about how difficult it will be to keep Norwich from making an immediate return to the Championship.

It has been a difficult start to life in the Premier League for a manager who was with Hamilton this time last year, and Norwich's current form must have supporters worrying about another relegation.

The 1-1 draw with Arsenal two weeks ago was exactly what the Norwich fans were expecting from their side this season as they fought impressively and showed resilience to earn a point, but the 2-0 defeat away to Watford brought the team crashing back to earth.

Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo combined once again to deliver the goods for Watford, and Neil must be wishing that those strikers were leading his side's bid to steer clear of the bottom three.

With 17 goals from 15 league games, more is expected from Cameron Jerome and Lewis Grabban but the defence is under pressure to improve quickly as only the bottom four clubs have conceded more than the Canaries.

Supporters were certainly not expecting anything other than a difficult season on return to the top tier of English football, but one win in their last 10 league games is relegation form, and Neil must shift the momentum quickly to ensure that their slide does not continue.

Recent form: LLWLDL
Recent form (all competitions): WLWLDL

Everton

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Confidence is certainly high within the Everton camp at the moment, but if Roberto Martinez's side can turn frustrating draws into victories quickly, the Toffees could surpass expectations this season.

After playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth two weeks ago, Everton created the better chances for much of the game against Crystal Palace on Monday before eventually requiring Romelu Lukaku to secure a 1-1 draw.

It extended their unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions and moved them up to ninth in the table, but Martinez may feel that his side could be even closer to putting the pressure on the sides challenging for Champions League football.

There are no secrets to their fine run, with Martinez having the luxury of seeing all of his key players find top form in recent weeks to push them up the table.

Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and John Stones have all impressed, but Lukaku's tally of 11 goals from 15 league games has been crucial to their recent success.

When Lukaku is on top of his game he can be almost unplayable, and his supporting cast continue to play to his strengths to give opposing sides a number of weapons to fear.

The pressure is on Everton to build on their form and become more like the side that narrowly missed out on the Champions League two seasons ago, and with their young stars stealing the headlines at the moment, Martinez will be just as keen to set high targets.

Recent form: LWDWDD
Recent form (all competitions): WDWDWD

Team News

Langston Galloway signed a new contract with Everton this week but he now faces a battle to keep his place in front of Leighton Baines, who has come off the bench in recent weeks.

James McCarthy faces a late fitness test after missing the last two games with a hip injury, and he could replace Tom Cleverley should he be given the green light to return.

Changes to the Norwich defence are possible as they search for just a second clean sheet of the league season, with Russell Martin among the players pushing for a recall.

Neil switched to 4-4-2 in the second half of the defeat to Watford and Jerome could be given the responsibility of partnering Grabban in attack.

Norwich possible starting lineup:
Rudd; Wisdom, Martin, Bassong, Olsson; Dorrans, Mulumb, Brady, Howson; Jerome, Grabban

Everton possible starting lineup:
Howard; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway; Barry, McCarthy; Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku

Head To Head

Norwich fans do not have many fond memories of games against Everton, and the Canaries head into this match having won just one of the last 11 meetings between the two sides.

Saturday's game will be the second meeting of the season after Everton overcame Neil's side on a penalty shootout in the League Cup in October.

We say: Norwich City 1-2 Everton

Everton have struggled to get over the line despite dominating games for long spells recently, but they will make the trip to Norfolk in confident mood. A Norwich defence struggling to keep out strikers should have a tough time against Lukaku, and the Toffees may have enough to collect all three points.

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