Norwich City vs Bournemouth preview, predictions & possible XIs
In a relegation six-pointer Norwich City play host to Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.
This basement battle of 20th versus 19th could have serious ramifications for both clubs in their respective quests for safety, with a win for the hosts closing the gap on Eddie Howe’s side to just three points.
The Canaries are currently eight points off safety so will need to start putting points on the board before the chasm widens and the pressure really starts to mount up.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are on a downward trajectory of their own, having not tasted victory in five league matches, but they could potentially navigate their way out of the drop zone with maximum reward in Norfolk this weekend.
Read on for Norwich City vs Bournemouth preview, predictions, TV coverage information, team news and more
When is Norwich City vs Bournemouth and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Carrow Road
Date: Saturday, 18 January 2020
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Norwich City vs Bournemouth
19 October 2019: Bournemouth 0-0 Norwich (Premier League)
30 October 2018: Bournemouth 2-1 Norwich (League Cup)
16 January 2016: Bournemouth 3-0 Norwich (Premier League)
12 September 2015: Norwich 3-1 Bournemouth (Premier League)
10 January 2015: Bournemouth 1-2 Norwich (Championship)
Aggregate Score: Norwich (DLLWW) 6-7 Bournemouth (DWWLL)
Ones to watch
Norwich: Todd Cantwell
Despite Norwich sitting rock bottom of the league, one of the bright sparks of their season has been the emergence of Todd Cantwell. The 21-year-old has been in good form for the Canaries this term, with six goals and two assists to his name. His final-third exploits will be essential if Daniel Farke’s side are to get anything out of this game.
Key stat: Todd Cantwell (six) is one of only two players to net more than a single goal for Norwich in the Premier League this season, alongside Teemu Pukki (nine).
Bournemouth: Callum Wilson
The last thing Callum Wilson would have wanted in a season preceding a European Championship is a barren goalscoring run, but that is exactly what he is experiencing at the minute. The four-capped England international has failed to score in any of the last 14 league matches and will be desperate to amend that worrying statistic with the likes of Danny Ings and Tammy Abraham firing on all cylinders.
Key stat: Only Harry Wilson has registered more shots on target (14) than Callum Wilson (11) in the Premier League for Bournemouth this season.
Team news
Norwich
All eyes will be on Teemu Pukki this weekend as the Finnish frontman has returned to full training following his absence against Manchester United with a toe injury, and is expected to start. Grant Hanley is also in with a chance of making the starting XI after he came off at Old Trafford, while Ben Godfrey and Josip Drmic are available.
Elsewhere, Timm Klose is ruled out for this contest.
Predicted XI: Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Hanley, Byram; Vrancic, Tettey; Buendia, McLean, Cantwell; Pukki.
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Bournemouth
It has been a difficult season for Howe on the injury front and there are no signs of things getting any better. Chris Mepham, David Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Junior Stanislas, Arnaut Groeneveld, Jack Stacey and Josh King have all been ruled out of this contest.
Jefferson Lerma, Aaron Ramsdale and Lloyd Kelly are all currently being assessed and stand a chance of making the matchday squad
Predicted XI: Ramsdale; Smith, Francis, Cook, Ake; H Wilson, Gosling, Billing, Fraser; Wilson, Solanke.
Squawka prediction
This is a very interesting matchup and could prove a season-defining game come May. With that considered, we may see a rather tentative affair with both sides cautious to push men forward.
Of course, both these sides have a penchant for attacking football, but the stakes are simply too high, meaning a stalemate is the most likely outcome.