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Football Previews

Norwich vs Wolves preview, predictions & possible XIs

By Harry Edwards

Published: 18:02, 19 December 2019

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to Norwich City this weekend.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, ending their run of 11 games without defeat in the Premier League.

They travel to face a Norwich side that will be buoyed by their draw with high-flying Leicester City, but the Canaries are still very much in trouble. Even if they beat Wolves and 17th-placed Aston Villa lose to Southampton, Daniel Farke’s side are all but guaranteed to enter Christmas in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.

When is Norwich vs Wolves and where can I watch live?

Competition: Premier League

Venue: Carrow Road

Date: Saturday, 21 December 2019

Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)

TV coverage (UK): N/A

Last five meetings: Norwich vs Wolves

21 February 2018: Wolves 2-2 Norwich (Championship)

31 October 2017: Norwich 0-2 Wolves (Championship)

21 January 2017: Norwich 3-1 Wolves (Championship)

01 October 2016: Wolves 1-2 Norwich (Championship)

14 February 2015: Norwich 2-0 Wolves (Championship)

Aggregate Score: Norwich (DLWWW) 9-6 Wolves (DWLLL)

Ones to watch

Norwich: Teemu Pukki

At one point this season it appeared as though the Teemu Pukki party was over. After scoring six goals in his first five Premier League games, the Finnish striker went eight matches without finding the net.

But, perhaps inspired by his exploits with Finland by helping to secure them a Euro 2020 spot, Pukki has been back among the goals recently. The 29-year-old has three goals in his past four appearances for Norwich including one against Leicester at the weekend.

Pukki will want to continue that run this weekend but must be on his game against a Wolves defence that can either be tough to break down or open – depending on which side turns up.

Key stat: Teemu Pukki’s nine goals so far would be enough for him to win Norwich’s Premier League top scorer award in five of their eight previous seasons.

Wolves: Adama Traore

Remember when Adama Traore had no end product? Known for his explosive pace, Traore was in danger of failing to fulfil his potential as he was unable to use his speed and dribbling abilities to help his teammates in the final third.

But under Espirito Santo this season the 23-year-old has started to add a finishing touch to his pace. Traore has recorded three assists in the league so far and added three goals, including one in the defeat against Tottenham.

Norwich have a defence that can certainly be attacked and if the Traore of 2019/20 continues to turn up, Wolves will benefit.

Key stat: Only Raul Jimenez (11) has been directly involved in more Premier League goals for Wolves this season than Adama Traore (6).

Team news

Norwich

Norwich are hoping to have Teemu Pukki fit and ready to start after he injured his toe in the 1-1 draw with Leicester last weekend.

Grant Hanley could also return from injury to start in place of Ben Godfrey whose own fitness has been thrown into doubt after reports of him being spotted with a leg brace. That would prove a huge blow to Farke as the young defender has made more interceptions (18) and blocked more shots (23) than any other Norwich player in the league this season, as well as winning more aerially duels (29) than any of the club’s defenders.

The Canaries are definitely without Timm Klose and Josip Drmic, both of whom are not expected to return until 2020.

Predicted XI: Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Amadou, Byram; Tettey, Trybull; Buendia, McLean, Cantwell; Pukki.

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Wolves

Wolves have no fresh injury concerns with Morgan Gibbs-White and Willy Boly their only absentees.

Having had a week rest with the Europa League group stages now over, Espirito Santo may opt to field the same XI that started against Tottenham on Sunday.

Predicted XI: Patricio; Doherty, Coady, Dendoncker, Saiss, Jonny; Moutinho, Neves; Traore, Jota; Jimenez.

Squawka prediction

Wolves’ defeat to Tottenham was tough to take after they had played so well, but Espirito Santo will know how to keep his side motivated.

Daniel Farke will also be looking to use their draw with Leicester to inspire positivity this weekend, but their attacking style of play should play right into Wolves’ hands.

Scoreline prediction: Norwich 1-3 Wolves

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