Sunderland vs Norwich: Match Preview

Date: Saturday 21st December Competition: Barclays Premier League Venue: Stadium of Light Kick-Off: 15:00 Sunderland will be looking to build on their Capital One Cup win over Chelsea in midweek with a result against fellow strugglers Norwich City. The match has been billed as a 'must win cup final' for both sides, but a Sunderland win is a must if they are to go into a very busy period in the New Year still in high spirits. Chris Hughton has said this week that despite Sunderland being bottom of the table, he isn't underestimating the challenge ahead of him.
"It's as big a challenge as any other game we play. They are on the back of a very good win midweek, albeit not in the league, so they'll be buoyed by that, but that's them. "We are also in decent form ourselves, and we're on the back of a very good away win at West Brom and I thought a good second half performance against Swansea City. "We're looking hopefully for that form to continue." (Norwich City FC official website)
Team News Gus Poyet could recall super subs Fabio Borini and Ki Sung Yeung to his starting XI following their goals in midweek, while Jack Colback and Steven Fletcher both return from injury. Carlos Cuellar and Kieren Westwood remain out. Canaries boss Hughton this week confirmed that Robert Snodgrass and Ricky Van Wolfswinkel will be in the squad for this match following injury and are both in contention to play. Anthony Pilkington, Alex Tettey and Elliott Bennett will miss the clash. Key Stats € Craig Gardner scored in both meetings in the Premier League last season between Sunderland and Norwich. € Norwich have scored more away goals than any other team this season in the Premier League (21) € While Sunderland have conceded the most home goals (16) € Only one team in Premier League history (West Brom in 2004/05) have been bottom on Christmas Day and avoided relegation. € None of the last 11 meetings between these two sides have ended in an away win (9 home wins, 2 draws) Likely Line-Ups Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Celustka, Ki, Cattermole, Giaccherini, Larsson, Borini, Altidore Norwich City: Ruddy, Whittaker, Turner, Bassong, Olsson, Redmond, Howson, Johnson, Fer, Hooper, Elmander Prediction Sunderland 2-1 Norwich
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is a sports journalist, who has previously worked for Sky Sports News, Soccer Saturday, UEFA's coverage of the Champions League and Europa League and The London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as football clubs such as FC Halifax Town, Corby Town and Crystal Palace FC.