Norwich City Vs West Brom Preview | Team News, Key Men and Stats

On October 24th, West Bromwich Albion travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City. The two teams are coming off two contrasting results.  The Baggies are coming off a “tactically fascinating” 1-0 win over Sunderland, while Norwich are rebounding from an incredible 6-2 loss to Newcastle.  The two sides will both be in the relegation scrap this season, and they will feel this is an opportunity to grab three vital points in their quest to stay in the Premier League.  Only two points separate the two sides in the table.  The winner of this game could put some room in between themselves and the relegation zone. With all the money on the line for staying in the Premier League, both will be eager to do so.

Team News

These sides have proved to be two of the fittest in the Premier League, and neither have major injury problems to deal with.  Norwich’s only injury is former West Brom player Youssouf Mulumbu.  The former Baggie is still yet make his debut for the Canaries, and, despite playing an hour for the u21s, he will likely have to wait a little longer to do so.

The Baggies have two injuries to deal with.  Ben Foster’s long awaited return is still a couple months off as he continues to recover from his torn ACL.  James Morrison is a doubt for the game with a pesky ankle injury.

Interesting Statistics

• These two teams have very different styles of play.
• Norwich have looked to play good football this season, but that has led to them leaking goals, as was on show against Newcastle.
• The Canaries conceded six to the Magpies, as many goals as they had scored in their previous eight games combined.
• This open attacking style has led to them scoring more goals (14) than anyone else in the bottom eight, but they also have the worst defensive record in the league with 20 goals conceded.
• West Brom on the other hand have looked to keep things tight at the back.  They have the best defensive record away from home with only two goals conceded in their first four away games.
• But on the flip side, only Watford have scored fewer goals (6) than Tony Pulis’s side with only seven goals through nine games.
• In terms of head to head, the two sides have not drawn in their last 13 matches against each other.

Key Players

Norwich City: Wes Hoolahan

At Carrow Road, Alex Neil’s side will look to come out and attack.  Tony Pulis’ sides are always very tight at the back, so it may take a moment of creative magic to break them down.  If anyone is capable of that it’s Wes Hoolahan.  The only people with more assists than the Irishman’s five this season are Mesut Ozil and David Silva.  With five assists and a goal, Hoolahan has been involved in 43% of the Canaries’ goals this season.

He will also need to play balls into dangerous wide positions for the like of Robbie Brady and Nathan Redmond.  That duo creates 5.1 chances per 90 minutes, so it will be important for players like Hoolahan to find them in the wide areas.

West Bromwich Albion: Saido Berahino

West Brom made some big moves this summer spending £30m on transfer fees.  Yet, their biggest move this summer may have been keeping Saido Berahino.  The Englishman was itching for a move to Tottenham this summer, and notoriously put out a tweet in frustration after the transfer window closed.  The 22 year old has since come back into the fold and been very important for the Baggies.  Berahino has scored 43% of his teams goals this season and has been averaging 1.49 shots inside the penalty box per game, third highest on the team.

Prediction

This match will be all about which style wins out.  Will Norwich’s open attacking style be able to carve up the Baggies’ defence, or will Tony Pulis’ side be able to keep a clean sheet and get the points.  It will all depend on the first goal, as West Brom are yet to get a point this season when they concede a goal.

Prediction: 1-0 West Bromwich Albion