Spurs vs Norwich preview, predictions & possible XIs
Tottenham have now gone four games without a win in the Premier League but can rectify that unwanted record when they welcome bottom club Norwich to the capital on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho’s men fired a blank at Vicarage Road over the weekend, but the Portuguese will be desperate to put three points on the board with a game against Man City set to follow their weekend FA Cup meeting with Southampton.
The Canaries, meanwhile, picked up a vital win against relegation rivals Bournemouth last time out, but they remain six points from safety.
So, can Daniel Farke build on Norwich’s rare triumph over the weekend? Or will Mourinho finally end his winless run in the league?
Read on for Spurs vs Norwich preview, predictions, TV coverage information, team news and more.
When is Spurs vs Norwich and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Wednesday, 22 January 2020
Kick-off: 7:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Spurs vs Norwich
28 December 2019: Norwich 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)
02 February 2016: Norwich 0-3 Spurs (Premier League)
26 December 2015: Spurs 3-0 Norwich (Premier League)
23 February 2014: Norwich 1-0 Spurs (Premier League)
14 September 2013: Spurs 2-0 Norwich (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Spurs (DWWLW) 10-3 Norwich (DLLWL)
Ones to watch
Spurs: Giovani Lo Celso
With Christian Eriksen’s time in north London appearing to be drawing to a close, Mourinho will need a playmaker capable of stepping up to eventually fill the gaping void set to be left by the Dane.
Lo Celso proved against Middlesbrough that he has the capabilities of being Eriksen’s successor, but he will now have to start producing in the final third on a more consistent basis if he is to truly convince fans that the club don’t need to tap into the transfer market if Inter Milan get their hands on the 27-year-old this month.
Key stat: Giovani Lo Celso is yet to provide a single goal or assist in the Premier League this season.
Norwich: Teemu Pukki
There are no two ways about it, if Norwich are to remain in the top-flight beyond this season, then they will need Pukki to remain fit and firing on all cylinders.
The Pukki party was put on hold over the festive period with the Finn going four games without scoring, but he ended that drought on Saturday as his goal proved the difference in a tight basement battle against Bournemouth.
Despite Mourinho’s perceived reputation as a purveyor of organisation and structure, Spurs have looked susceptible at the back under his short tutelage; this is where a player of Pukki’s devastation can profit.
Key stat: Only Pukki (10) and Todd Cantwell (six) have netted more than one goal for Norwich in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Spurs
Mourinho could recall Danny Rose in midweek but there is still uncertainty over the full-back’s fitness and the Portuguese may not feel inclined to reintroduce the 29-year-old with Japhet Tanganga proving a more than capable stand-in of late.
Elsewhere, Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko and Hugo Lloris remain long-term absentees, with the former duo not expected back until April.
Tanguy Ndombele is back in contention after injury but Wednesday will prove too soon for Ben Davies. Lucas Moura is expected to lead the line while Gedson Fernandes could make his full debut after appearing as a substitute against Watford.
Predicted XI: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Tanganga; Lo Celso, Winks, Fernandes; Alli, Son, Lucas.
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Norwich
Farke only recently welcomed Ben Godfrey back from injury, but he will once again be without the centre-back after he picked up a straight red card against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The suspended defender could be replaced by Grant Hanley, while Timm Klose remains sidelined with a knee injury. Emiliano Buendia is another absentee after picking up a muscle problem and will be a big miss for the Canaries.
Predicted XI: Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Hanley, Byram; Tettey, McLean; Hernandez, Duda, Cantwell; Pukki.
Squawka prediction
Norwich showed over the weekend that there is still plenty of life left in the tank and they will not go down without a fight. That said, Mourinho has been in the game long enough to know how to transform his side’s fortunes and get Spurs’ season back up and running.
It won’t be pretty but the hosts should have enough quality to overcome Norwich and inch ever closer to the Champions League qualification places.
