Twenty-seven play-rounds are kicked off in Norwich where Norwich City and Birmingham City on Carrow Road crosses the swords. Norwich is no longer second after the draw at West Bromwich Albion but now has to share this place with Sheffield United. Birmingham City lost in Middlesbrough’s own home and could not use this defeat in the battle for place six. Which team will win with the win? A look ahead!
Norwich City:
In the battle for the league title, Norwich City suffered damage last weekend. On visiting West Bromwich Albion it came no further than a 1-1 draw. For a long time it did not look like The Canaries would take another point, but seven minutes before the end, substitute Jordan Rhodes did the equalizer. It was the first ball contact for the striker after he had sunk two minutes before for Todd Cantwell.
Norwich City is in a lesser phase anyway. The last four games in the league were no longer won and in the meantime there was the surprising elimination in the FA Cup by League One opponent Portsmouth. The opponents where suffered from point loss were of a decent level. Teams like Nottingham Forest, Derby County and West Bromwich Albion are on paper no less than Norwich City and perhaps The Canaries are not a direct title candidate. Continued if Norwich City receives Birmingham City on Friday evening. A dangerous opponent for the team of manager Daniel Farke. Well considered it can only lose such a home game in which it is the towering favorite.
Birmingham City:
Birmingham City is currently in a lesser phase. Nobody worries about the shape of the Garry Monk team because the eighth place in the ranking is just excellent. The gap at Derby County is currently only four points. From the last three league matches only two points were achieved. In home, it went no further than a goalless draw against Brentford and on New Year’s Day it came no further than a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough at Sheffield Wednesday. Last Saturday there was a narrow 1-2 loss against Middlesbrough by a late goal from Assombalonga.
Manager Garry Monk with his reaction after the game against Middlesbrough: ‘It is difficult to accept this loss against Middlesbrough. I felt that we had earned at least a point today but unfortunately it was not. We did not have that little luck that you need in this competition. The support of the fans was great for ninety minutes. ”
PREDICTION: Norwich to win @ 1.85
