Newcastle United welcome their former boss Chris Hughton’s Norwich City side to St James’ Park this weekend, on the back of two excellent results against Chelsea and Spurs before the international break.
Norwich acquired an important win against West Ham United, winning 3-1, lifting them out of the relegation zone, with just 1 point separating themselves in 15th to Fulham in 18th place.
Team News and Predicted Line-Ups
The Norwich game may be too soon for injured duo Phil Dummett and Steven Taylor, with Mathieu Debuchy suspended; while Norwich are missing Anthony Pilkington, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Alexander Tettey and Elliott Bennett for the trip to St James’ Park.
Interesting Statistics
Robert Snodgrass has created more chances without creating a goal than any other Premier League player this season (24). [Stats Zone]
Loïc Remy has (7) goals to his name so far this season, while also registering one assist.
Newcastle Utd are unbeaten in their last three meetings against Norwich City [W2 D1]
Key Players
Loïc Remy
The Frenchman has been one of the form players in the country in the last month, scoring vital goals in the games against Chelsea and Spurs, adding to a goal tally already better than his overall goals haul at QPR last season; scoring (7) in (9) games for the Magpies, compared to his (6) in (14) for Harry Redknapp’s QPR.
Analysing his performances so far this season for the Magpies, it’s obvious that the on-loan striker is crucial to any attacking threat his side poses.
So far in eight Premier League games, Remy has scored (7) goals from a total of 20 shots, averaging 94 minutes per goal and 55 minutes per shot on target. The French international has an outstanding chance conversion rate of 35%, while converting 60% of his clear-cut chances so far this season.
While topping the goal charts for his side, he has the typical French flair in his game a la Thierry Henry, both similar in stature, creativity and attacking prowess, with the way he strides with the ball at his feet and forces defences on the back foot.
Loïc Remy has registered one assist for his side so far this season, but has created a total of (11) chances for his side, while attempting 21 dribbles, successfully completing (9).
If Newcastle United are to make it three wins on the bounce, the former Olympique Marseille man will be integral to his side’s fortunes.
Leroy Fer
Since making his £5m from FC Twente to Carrow Road, the Dutchman has made headlines in the press with his ‘unsportsman’ like goal versus Cardiff City, which was eventually disallowed, but stating he would “do it again.”
But, despite making noises off the pitch, his performances on the pitch have been just as loud. The former FC Twente man has been impressed the Carrow Road faithful so far this season, starting in all but one of Norwich City’s Premier League games thus far.
A regular in the Norwich midfield, Fer has contributed to both defensive and attacking aspects of his side’s performances, and while his side has looked poor throughout the season, he has shone, particularly in the 3-1 win against West Ham United before the international break.
Defensively, Leroy Fer has won 54% of his total ground 50-50’s; made 34 tackles, with a success of 79.4% – averaging a tackle every 26 minutes. The Dutch midfielder has an obvious tactical nouse, totalling (8) interceptions so far this season.
The summer signing from FC Twente has completed 402/471 passes so far in his 10 Premier League games, a pass completion rate of 85%.
Like Loïc Remy above, Fer has the ability to create chances for his team-mates; creating (13) chances for his team-mates, adding (1) assist to his name. The £5m signing has successfully completed 20 of his 26 dribbles so far this term, showing his capabilities of the complete midfielder for Norwich City – he also scored his first for his new club, scoring an 18-yard strike against West Ham United two weeks ago. £5m looks set to be a steal for Chris Hughton’s Norwich City side.
Prediction: Newcastle United 3-1 Norwich City
Newcastle United’s home form has been indifferent this season, while they can get results against the bigger boys of Chelsea and Liverpool, their 2-3 home defeat to Hull City begs the question of can they step it up when facing lower league sides, but with Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy currently on form, I think the Magpies will be too strong for the Canaries, who have scored just twice away from home all season, losing (4) and winning just once.
