Norwich City will play host to West Ham United at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon with three Premier League points on the line.
The home side's recent run of poor form has seem them slip into the relegation zone, while in contrast the travelling Hammers have much loftier aspirations.
Norwich
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Alex Neil spent big during the January transfer window to recruit the likes of Steven Naismith and Timm Klose, but it has done little to improve the team's fortunes on the pitch.
In truth, the dark clouds have started to descend over Norfolk following last weekend's 2-0 defeat away at basement side Aston Villa, who had won just twice previously all season.
It is now six losses on the bounce in all competitions for Neil's men and as a result they find themselves occupying the final relegation spot, one point adrift of safety.
There is plenty of work for Neil and his players to do between now and the end of the campaign, with problems in both boxes. On their losing run, Norwich have scored five goals, four of which came in one match against Liverpool and that was not even enough to secure a point.
At the same time, the defence has been particularly leaky, with 19 goals being shipped. That has taken their goals against tally for the season to 48 - only Sunderland on 49 have conceded more.
For Neil, such a streak is alien territory. Having done well with Hamilton Academical in his native Scotland, he joined Norwich in January last year and subsequently guided them to promotion from the Championship.
Recent form: WLLLLL
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLLL
West Ham
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They have had their problems both on and off the pitch over recent years, but there is little doubt at the moment that it is a good time to be a West Ham fan.
Their side is currently sixth in the Premier League - they have not finished that high since the 1998-99 season. On top of that a move to the Olympic Stadium is on the horizon, while the team is playing a brand of football that is pleasing on the eye.
Ahead of the trip to Norwich, another boost has come in the form of playmaker Dimitri Payet, who according to manager Slaven Bilic is "very close" to signing a new contract. The Frenchman has scored six goals and assisted a further four since arriving from Marseille in the summer, so it is little wonder that Bilic has gone on record to call Payet his best player.
This good feeling exists despite a run of Premier League form that has seen just four points collected from a possible 12. The defeats during that run - at Newcastle United and Southampton - were particularly disappointing when you consider that Bilic's men have the fifth-best away record in the division.
There was a FA Cup replay win over Liverpool during the week, though, which will have been a big boost. It seemed that the game was heading for penalties until Angelo Ogbonna popped up to head in his first goal for the club deep into extra time.
It was a tough outing against the Merseysiders that lasted 120 minutes and with Bilic having put a strong side out, it will be interesting to see if tiredness plays a factor during their trip to East Anglia.
Recent form: WWLDWL
Recent form (all competitions): LDDWLW
Team News
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The win over Liverpool came at a cost for West Ham, who saw Winston Reid, Joey O'Brien, Cheikhou Kouyate and Enner Valencia pick up injuries.
That quartet are thought to be unlikely to recover in time to face Norwich, meaning that they will join an injury list that includes Diafra Sakho, Manuel Lanzini and James Tomkins.
With Valencia potentially struggling, Bilic is likely to turn to either Andy Carroll or new signing Emmanuel Emenike to lead the attack.
As for the home side, Alexander Tettey will play no part because of suspension, while Graham Dorrans is sidelined with a muscular complaint.
Norwich possible starting lineup:
Rudd; Martin, Klose, Bassong, Brady; Howson, Mulumbu, O'Neil, Hoolahan; Naismith; Mbokani
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Byram, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble, Song; Antonio, Moses, Payet; Carroll
Head To Head
Of the last 10 meetings between these two teams in all competitions, Norwich have celebrated victory just once.
Perhaps crucially, that solo triumph came the last time that they faced each other in the Premier League at Carrow Road when Gary Hooper, Robert Snodgrass and Leroy Fer were on target in a 3-1 win.
Earlier in the campaign when the sides clashed at Upton Park, West Ham's Kouyate struck three minutes into stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 draw.
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We say: Norwich 0-0 West Ham
With West Ham likely to be tired after their midweek exertions and Norwich struggling in front of goal, do not expect many goals at Carrow Road. It would not be a surprise were the game to end 0-0.
Liam Apicella
