Norwich City vs Swansea City - Match Preview
This afternoon sees the meeting of Premier League new boys Norwich and Swansea at Carrow Road. Just 7 games into the season and it already seems appropriate to use the oft repeated but rather nonsensical term – a ‘relegation six pointer’, to describe the clash.
This afternoon sees the meeting of Premier League new boys Norwich and Swansea at Carrow Road. Just 7 games into the season and it already seems appropriate to use the oft repeated but rather nonsensical term a relegation six pointer, to describe the clash. Or does it? The Premier League table currently places the two newcomers 9th and 10th respectively after impressive starts to the campaign. Yet neither seem daunted by the fact they are rubbing elbows with the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa in the no-mans land between European qualification and the relegation zone. The Welsh camp in particular seemed confident, striker Danny Graham saying: We have the opportunity to go higher in the league because of the run of games we have. They are fixtures where we can go and win, whereas with our first three away fixtures at Manchester City, Arsenal or Chelsea, wed have taken a point.Norwichs defender Russell Martin was quick to back both teams Premier League quality, and suggested theyd put on quite a show at Carrow Road:
QPR have made a few big signings so its different to us and Swansea, but youve seen from the quality of the games involving us and Swansea last season they were not normal Championship gamesPaul Lamberts Canaries lost their last game, but in their defence it was away at Manchester United and the 2-0 scoreline flattered their opponents who had to soak up a lot of pressure. The Swans on the other hand came away with a very good 2-0 win over Stoke. Their form away from the Liberty Stadium is poor though; theyve lost seven of their last 9 away games and won only one. Compare this to the fact that Norwich have lost just one of their last 15 games on home soil and Brendan Rodgers side look like theyll be up against it. Nevertheless Swansea wont be too worried; this is a meeting of two very even sides and could go either way. Team News No new injury woes for Lambert, James Vaughan is still some way off recovering from his knee injury, and the defensive trio of Zak Whitbread, Elliot Ward and Daniel Ayala will all be unable to feature. None of these concerns will force him to change his current winning formula though. Swansea are also on the mend - Kemy Agustien should be back from a hamstring injury, and Leon Britton returns after missing out against Stoke. Alan Tate will still be out for some time with a broken leg and Steven Caulkner will also be absent. Probable Starting Line-ups:Norwich: Ruddy, Naughton, Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Bennett, Hoolahan, Fox, Pilkington, Morison, Johnson. Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Taylor, Dyer, Allen, Gower, Routledge, Sinclair, Graham My Prediction: A close one to call, it could well end up as a draw but Ill go with a 2-1 home win due to their home form and Swanseas lack of luck away.