With the Hammers hoping to extend a four game winning streak in the league, Norwich arrive at Upton Park, buoyed by a dominant Capital One Cup victory, and with a firm mind to upset their hosts.
After scoring a grand total of six goals in three-and-a-bit Premier League seasons for West Ham, Matt Jarvis has now managed a third of that goal total for Norwich, a club to which he has been loaned, in poorly-timed fashion, by the Hammers. Sitting, as Jarvis is, in this acutely unexpected patch of goal-scoring form, the Hammers will be glad that he is ineligible to play against them this weekend: dodging the bullet that is… Matt Jarvis? As unlikely a sentence as that seemed a month or so ago, West Ham fans will care little of the rather unfair return Norwich are getting on Jarvis; they have things of their own to celebrate.
So, in spite of Jarvis’ enforced absence, Norwich City will arrive at Upton Park as only marginal underdogs. The Canaries earned a hugely creditable draw at Anfield in their last league flaneur, and then backed it up with a raucous 3-0 win over West Brom midweek in the league cup. Naturally, Jarvis opened the scoring in that match, and closed it by forcing an own goal from Baggies defender Sebastien Pocognoli. West Ham, on the other hand, were bettered in extra time by Leicester City – arguably the in-form team in the country – in their league cup tie, but will not need too much consoling. Their fortune, “always hiding” as their anthem goes, has been in plain sight in the league, and last week’s victory over Manchester City brought Slaven Bilic and his players soaring to giddy new heights. But up there, in that rarefied air, the view is clear, and it focuses the gaze on the importance of home form.
Key Battle – Adrian vs the Norwich City attack
Although they stand modestly at 11th on the table, only three teams (Leicester City, Manchester City, and, as it happens, West Ham) have scored more league goals than Norwich’s nine. The Canaries have appeared unexpectedly potent in attack, a unit spearheaded by Cameron Jerome and conducted by Wes Hoolahan. Hoolahan in particular is an acutely acuminous threat; his four assists lead the league, joint-top with David Silva. One of them he laid on against Bournemouth was executed with his shin-pad clutched in his hand. They’ve had more total shots than Manchester United; evidently they have no qualms about letting fly. In fact, only three teams have taken more shots from outside the area than Norwich. All of this demands that West Ham keeper Adrian be very much at his best on Saturday. The Spaniard, being one of the divisions best shot-stoppers, usually is.
Returning from a three match ban, Adrian was thrown immediately into the lion pit, away at the Etihad Stadium. West Ham won that game, and remain perfect on the road, thanks in no small part to his fine work between the sticks. Adrian made a handful of key saves, denying City an equaliser, as they pummeled his goal with attempts. There are few men with swifter reactions than he. His inspired form continued into the league cup, even if it wasn’t quite enough to ensure victory for West Ham there. Leicester City were unable to better the Hammers goalkeeper until late in the game, despite Jeff Schlupp and Riyad Mahrez both encountering Adrian one-on-one.
If Adrian can continue his supremacy in goal, then beating West Ham becomes significantly more difficult. The talented Norwich attack will have their work ahead of them here.
Team News and Expected Lineups
Neither team is hugely afflicted by injury or suspension, with Norwich’s Gary Hooper expected to be fit for the weekend, and West Ham’s absentees well covered for by the depth of their squad. Bilic has no reason to differ from the formula that served him so well against Manchester City, with the same 4-2-3-1 line up expected to feature from the start against Norwich. Alex Neil might consider bringing Hoolahan back into the fray, after he left him out of the Liverpool contest to accommodate for a more defensive line up. Perhaps playing three central midfielders – Howson, Tettey and Dorrans – Norwich can congest the centre, allowing for Hoolahan, Redmond and Jerome to fly forth on the counter. If there’s anything to learn from West Ham’s first 6 matches, it’s that they are vulnerable defending the break.
Head-to-Head and Previous Meeting
West Ham have won only one of their past nine meetings with Norwich, dating back to 1995. Their most recent encounter ended in a 2-0 loss for the Hammers, at home, in February last year. West Ham are a different beast now though, and will enter as favourites.
Prediction
West Ham will improve on their already stellar league start, winning here 2-0.
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