Norwich v West Brom preview
Friday 10 August 2018 14:57, UK
Norwich will check on striker Jordan Rhodes ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match against West Brom at Carrow Road.
Rhodes, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, is carrying an ankle knock so will be assessed. Full-back Ivo Pinto (hamstring) should be back in contention after missing the opening-day draw at Birmingham, but defender Jamal Lewis is ruled out by a dead leg.
German midfielder Marco Stiepermann has recovered from a minor knee problem so should be available, while striker Carlton Morris (knee) and long-term absentee Matt Jarvis (ankle) remain sidelined.
Dwight Gayle could come into the West Brom attack after the on-loan Newcastle forward impressed from the bench during the midweek 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest. Midfielder James Morrison and defender Tosin Adarabioyo, on loan from Manchester City, will both be hoping to retain their places in the starting XI.
Veteran Gareth Barry and teenager Rekeem Harper are both options should boss Darren Moore look to freshen up his side, along with Belgian Nacer Chadli, yet to feature after being linked with a move away during the transfer window. Defender Craig Dawson, another key man retained by the Baggies, continues to carry a thigh problem, so will be assessed.
Opta stats
There hasn't been a draw between these sides in any of the last 15 meetings in all competitions (eight Norwich wins, seven wins for West Brom).
West Brom have won five of their last six league trips to Carrow Road (L1), winning the most recent two games 1-0 on each occasion.
Norwich have won their opening home league match of the season in just one of the last 10 seasons (D5 L4), a 3-0 win over Watford in 2014-15.
The results of both of West Brom's Championship games have been decided by a goal in the final five minutes this season. They lost 1-2 against Bolton thanks to an 89th minute strike, before rescuing a draw against Nottingham Forest in the 87th minute.
Norwich winger Ben Marshall has been involved in nine goals in his last 14 Championship appearances (3 goals, 6 assists), assisting Norwich's first goal against Birmingham.
West Brom's Matt Phillips has scored in each of his last two away league games (vs Newcastle in April and vs Nottingham Forest in midweek).
Prutton's prediction
You won't see a more chaotic final 10 minutes anywhere than the one at the City Ground on Tuesday night, when West Brom somehow claimed a draw at Nottingham Forest.
Norwich are tough to read this season and they could easily have won or lost at Birmingham last week. Daniel Farke will be desperate to lay down an early marker at home but I think the Baggies will have too much quality.
David Prutton predicts: 0-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
