Manuel Pellegrini’s stuttering Manchester City side will play host to Alex Neil’s struggling Norwich on Saturday night.
The Canaries have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions and are currently on a five-game winless run in the Premier League. Although City still remain at the top of the standings, they have struggled with recent results, having won only two of their last five outings.
But the Sky Blues have been more than efficient when they have managed to win, scoring 11 goals in only their last three league matches. After putting five past Crystal Palace in a League Cup encounter, they have also demolished Bournemouth and Newcastle in recent weeks. Norwich also find themselves in similar positions to those sides and Alex Neil will be hoping to prevent an onslaught. To add to their woes, the Canaries themselves conceded six in their last away trip to Newcastl, but they can take comfort in the fact that City will be without their top scorer – Sergio Aguero – who will remain sidelined for almost another month.
Key Battle – Wilfried Bony vs Sebastien Bassong
Both players will have something to prove and getting the better of one another will be a big factor in the match. Sebastien Bassong is part of the only team in the league that are yet to record a clean sheet this season. They have also conceded the second most number of goals (21), with only Bournemouth and Newcastle United letting in more (22). The Cameroonian has played every minute of Norwich’s games this season and will be looking forward to displaying solid defensive judgement against the league’s top scoring side.
While injury has halted Aguero’s free-scoring run, Wilfried Bony has taken up the mantle as City’s preferred striker, although the Ivorian has not done the best of jobs in Aguero’s absence and has only managed three goals this season. The 26-year-old appears to be nothing close to the lethal striker he was during his time at Swansea, but a good performance against lowly Norwich might just be the catalyst to turning his fortunes around.
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Team News
Manchester City will have to be without Aguero, Gael Clichy, Fabian Delph and Samir Nasri, while Raheem Sterling and Pablo Zabaleta are doubtful for this week. David Silva is on the road to recovery, but is unlikely to be fit in time to face Norwich.
Alex Neil’s side will have to drastically improve from their recent performances if they want to get something out of this. Dieumerci Mbokani is the only concern for Norwich, but is more than likely to be passed fit to play.
Head-to-Head
The game marks the 66th encounter in all competitions between the two sides. Manchester City have a stunning record against the Canaries, only losing on nine occasions, drawing 22 of them and winning the remaining 34.
Prediction
There is no stat available that could link Norwich to getting anything out of this game as the Sky Blues appear to be clear favourites. One can expect goals in this one, although it may only be the hostsscoring them.
Manchester City 3 Norwich City 0
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