Norwich Vs Man City - Team News & Match Preview

By Joseph Dempsey / December 28, 2012

Venue: Carrow Road Date: Saturday, 29th December K/O: 15:00 GMT

Team News

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy is still out with a thigh injury, meaning Mark Bunn will continue to deputise. This game will come too soon for defender Steven Whittaker who is still nursing a hip injury, whilst midfielder Andrew Surman isn't expected back until the end of the month, though he could be given a late test. Manchester City's Carlos Tevez has an illness that caused him to miss training yesterday, but the Argentine is expected to recover in time. Mario Balotelli is also a doubt thanks to his own virus, while Samir Nasri could sit the game out with a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, defender Aleksandar Kolarov is a continued absentee with a leg injury that has ruled him out of City's last two games, joining Maicon, Micah Richards (both knee), and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Match Preview

It remains to be seen just how costly City's slip-up to Sunderland on Boxing Day will be. The Champions go into this tie knowing a win is imperative if they are to avoid falling even further behind rivals Man United in the title race. They are already 7 points adrift, but their fans will be quick to point out that they overturned an 8 point deficit toward the end of last season to famously win the Premier League on goal difference. City's defeat to Sunderland was their second of the month, however it was only their first defeat on the road this season and Roberto Mancini will be confident of getting the points at Carrow Road. Last season, they thumped Norwich 5-1 at home and 1-6 away on their way to the title, and have won three of the four Premier League meetings between the sides, drawing once. However, Norwich have beaten Man United here this season, as well as Arsenal, so it is perhaps folly to rule them out before a ball has even been kicked.

Likely Line-Up's

Norwich: Bunn, Bassong, Garrido, Turner, Martin, Snodgradd, Pilkington, Johnson, Hoolahan, Holt, Morrison Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Silva, Barry, Y. Toure, Nasri, Tevez, Aguero Team news via the Telegraph.