Norwich v Southampton preview: Andre Wisdom returns, Oriol Romeu suspended
Saturday 2 January 2016 13:59, UK
Andre Wisdom returns for Norwich as they host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, with Oriol Romeu suspended for the Saints.
The Canaries have won two of their last three top-flight outings, beating Manchester United and Aston Villa, but did slip to a 3-0 defeat against Spurs on Boxing Day.
However, they currently sit in 15th place - three points ahead of the drop zone - and three places behind Southampton in 12th with the Saints four points ahead of their weekend rivals.
After thrashing Arsenal 4-0 on Boxing Day - their first win in five Premier League games - Ronald Koeman's men were beaten by West Ham in their last outing before the New Year.
Team news
Wisdom could be back in the Canaries squad after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Matt Jarvis (knee) - who signed on a permanent deal from West Ham on Christmas Eve - has not fully recovered.
Alex Neil has no other injury worries but is expected to rotate his players as the way the games have fallen has "put extra demands on the body".
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman will have to make at least one change to his side after Romeu collected his fifth booking of the season during Monday's 2-1 defeat at West Ham and serves a one-match ban.
Strikers Graziano Pelle (knee) and Jay Rodriguez (foot) are still sidelined along with full-back Cedric Soares (groin).
Opta stats
Norwich have won just one of the last 10 meetings against Southampton in all competitions (W1 D5 L4).
Shane Long has scored six goals in his last nine league appearances against Norwich City.
Norwich have picked up as many wins in their last three Premier League games (W2 D0 L1) as they had in their previous 14 matches in the competition (W2 D5 L7).
Away from home, Southampton have picked up just two victories in their last 16 in the Premier League (W2 D5 L9) and scored just 12 goals in these matches.
Wes Hoolahan has now provided more assists for Norwich City than any other player in Premier League history (17).
Norwich City have kept just two clean sheets this season; a joint league low with Aston Villa; although the Canaries kept one in their last match (2-0 v Aston Villa).
Declan Rudd has conceded just seven goals in the five Premier League games he's played this season (1.4 per game) and has saved 72 per cent of shots. In comparison, John Ruddy conceded 25 goals in 14 games (1.79 per game) and saved 60 per cent of shots.
Southampton have attempted the most headed shots (54) and have fired in the most open play crosses (365) in the Premier League this season
Paul Merson's prediction
Norwich had a great result against Villa in what was a must-win game for them. Southampton were 1-0 up against West Ham having beaten Arsenal, then they go on to lose.
That was a strange result, and it must have hurt Saints, so I'm going to go Norwich here. There's a lot more for the Canaries in this game, and they can really stretch clear just over the halfway line.
It's hard to judge Southampton this season, it has been really inconsistent but they have the players to be comfortably top half. They're not a million miles away. I watched them dominate games a few times, they should have been up against both Villa and Spurs at St Mary's, but they don't get that goal.
That's what surprised me about the West Ham game, they got the opening goal but didn't go on to win. I think they could be dangerous in the FA Cup this year in fact.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Southampton are 13/10 favourites with online bookmaker Sky Bet to win at Carrow Road with Norwich 21/10 and the draw available at 23/10. The Saints hammered Norwich 3-0 at St Mary's earlier in the season and are 11/4 to win to nil, while the Canaries edged it 1-0 when the sides last met in the top flight and can be backed at 7/2 to win by exactly one goal.
Jonny Howson scored the opener in last week's win against Aston Villa and can be backed at 11/1 to break the deadlock on Saturday, while Shane Long is deemed the most likely threat for the Saints and is 3/1 to net in an away win.
Soccer Saturday pundits Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson are all backing an away win. Check out their predictions here.
