Southampton vs Norwich City preview, predictions & confirmed team news with Buendia left on bench
Southampton will be looking to build on their win over Watford when they face Norwich City on Wednesday night.
It is another relegation battle for the Saints, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side sitting one point ahead of the Canaries after 14 games.
Southampton’s win over Watford was their first since mid-September and eased a tiny bit of pressure on Hasenhuttl. Norwich, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with Arsenal at Carrow Road and were unfortunate not to take all three points.
The Canaries also recently ended a long winless run by beating Everton on November 23, and will be looking to potentially draw level on points with the Toffees, who face Liverpool.
Read on for our Southampton vs Norwich preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Southampton vs Norwich City and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
Date: Wednesday, 04 December 2019
Kick-off: 7:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): The game is not available on traditional television but will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video.
Last five meetings: Southampton vs Norwich City
18 January 2017: Southampton 1-0 Norwich (FA Cup)
07 January 2017: Norwich 2-2 Southampton (FA Cup)
02 January 2016: Norwich 1-0 Southampton (Premier League)
30 August 2015: Southampton 3-0 Norwich (Premier League)
15 March 2014: Southampton 4-2 Norwich (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Southampton (WDLWW) 10-5 Norwich (LDWLL)
Ones to watch
Southampton: James Ward-Prowse
While Danny Ings will get a lot of plaudits for his goalscoring record this season, James Ward-Prowse is doing his bit to push the striker close.
The English midfielder has score in each of his past two games, earning Southampton a 2-2 draw with Arsenal before their win over Norwich.
Ward-Prowse has been deployed in various positions this season, including wing-back, but has found his home once again in the middle of the pitch. His combination with Ings will be key.
Key stat: James Ward-Prowse has scored four of Southampton’s past 10 goals in the Premier League.
Norwich: Teemu Pukki
Yes, he’s back. After going eight games without a goal for Norwich, Teemu Pukki finally found the net once more by scoring in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
It was Pukki back to his best, causing serious problems to the Arsenal defence, having also recorded an assist in the 2-0 win over Everton.
Perhaps buoyed by his role in helping Finland qualify for Euro 2020 – their first ever major tournament – Pukki could find himself among the goals once more this week.
Key stat: Teemu Pukki has scored 46.67% of Norwich City’s goals this season, the third-highest ratio in the Premier League.
Team news
Southampton
Southampton had no fresh injury problems with Stuart Armstrong the only absentee due to a hamstring problem.
As a result, Hasenhuttl has made just one change from the XI that beat Watford, with Shane Long joining Danny Ings in attack, replacing Michael Obafemi.
Confirmed XI: McCarthy; Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Djenepo, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond; Ings, Long.
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Norwich City
Norwich remain unchanged from the team which drew with Arsenal at the weekend, meaning Emiliano Buendia has to make do with a spot on the bench.
Alexander Tettey returns to the squad after missing the weekend’s game due to family reasons, but joins Buendia on the bench.
Confirmed XI: Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Byram; Trybull, Amadou; Cantwell, McLean, Hernandez; Pukki.
Squawka prediction
Southampton were made to work hard for their win against Watford and, at times, it just didn’t look like it would come.
Norwich were unlucky to meet an in-form Bernd Leno, preventing them from what would have been a deserved win over Arsenal. That quality may just prove vital in Wednesday’s clash, though Southampton having another day’s rest could change things.
Scoreline prediction: Southampton 1-2 Norwich
