Newcastle vs Norwich preview
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Friday 31 January 2020 13:53, UK
Team news, key stats and ways to follow ahead of Newcastle vs Norwich.
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Team news
All three of Newcastle's January signings - Nabil Bentaleb, Valentino Lazaro and Danny Rose - could play against Norwich this weekend as the squad continues to struggle with injuries.
Steve Bruce confirmed that he is still missing 'eight or nine' players, including long-term absentees Paul Dummett and Jetro Willems, while Jonjo Shelvey, Emil Krafth, Javi Manquillo, Yoshinori Muto, Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll and Jack Colback are expected to miss out.
Norwich will have Todd Cantwell and Ibrahim Amadou back, while Emiliano Buendia is back in training and should be fit to feature.
How to follow
Follow the match in our dedicated live blog, while highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel at 5.15pm.
Opta stats
- Newcastle have won seven of their last eight home league games against Norwich (D1), with their last meeting in the Championship in September 2016 ending 4-3 with two 90th minute goals.
- There have been 28 goals scored in the last five league meetings between Newcastle and Norwich, with the two at St James' Park in this run seeing 15 goals scored between the teams.
- Following their 3-1 win at Carrow Road in the reverse fixture, Norwich are looking to complete the league double over Newcastle for the very first time. This is the 28th different campaign in which they've met.
- Each of Newcastle's last three Premier League goals have come in the 90th minute or later, with these strikes earning the Magpies a 1-0 win against Chelsea, and a 2-2 draw against Everton.
- Norwich have won just 11 points from their last 81 available away from home in the Premier League (W3 D2 L22), with the Canaries winning a league-low five points on the road this season.
- Norwich are the only side yet to score a Premier League goal from a free-kick situation this season (either direct or indirect). Meanwhile, Newcastle have scored more such goals than any other side this term (6).
- 12 of Newcastle's Premier League goals this season have been scored by defenders. The last team to have more such goals in a single campaign were West Brom in 2016-17 (14), while the Magpies have never had more in a season in the competition (also 12 in 1996-97 and 1994-95).
- No side has had fewer different goalscorers in the Premier League this season than Norwich (8).
- Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has won seven of his nine home matches in all competitions against Norwich City (D1 L1).
- Norwich forward Teemu Pukki has been involved in a league-high 58% of Norwich's 24 Premier League goals this season (11 goals, 3 assists). The Finnish forward has also been involved in 83% of the Canaries six away league goals this term (4 goals, 1 assist).
Charlie's predictions
It is a cracking game for differing reasons. We know the position that Norwich are in, while talk of a Newcastle takeover is cranking up again. This is the one game where Steve Bruce could get his side to put a gap between them and the rest. There are bundles of injuries for them but Danny Rose looks to be on his way in. The past has been hanging over Newcastle; Bruce and Rafael Benitez have differing CVs but Bruce is very good under these circumstances. It does not always work, he sometimes takes a hit, but he always seems to find himself in a situation where he never gets the credit he deserves. Is it just the 40 points that are required this season for safety? I'm backing Newcastle to move closer to that with a win here.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Newcastle 2-1 Norwich (7/2 with Sky Bet)
Super 6: Geordie joy?
A hefty 29.7 per cent of Super 6 entrants have gone with the same scoreline as Charlie in this clash, while 74 per cent have backed Newcastle to move further up the table. What score will you predict, with £250k up for grabs? Play Super 6 for free.
