Where: Carrow Road, England.
When: Saturday, November 17th, 2012.
Time: 17.30 GMT.
Referee: A. Taylor
The clash sees Sir Alex Fergusson starting his 27th year at the helm for Manchester UTD celebrating his 26th anniversary last week in a typical UTD fashion & doing what they have been famous in doing to their oppositions – “comeback kings”. As the fans around the world expect UTD to come away with three points off a resurging Norwich City at Carrow road, many a football team at the top has found out how difficult it has been to play against the bottom table teams over the recent years.
Norwich City
Manager: Chris Houghton
After a disastrous start to the season for the new boss Chris Houghton and just when the pressure was mounting on him, Norwich have responded in a perfect manner by drawing twice away & winning twice at home in the last four games. Taking this confidence and momentum into place, it is the perfect time to inflict another loss upon the league leaders. Having come this close to gaining a much deserved point last year in the same fixture at home, they would look forward in maintaining their form by atleast nicking a point.
Much would depend on their Keeper John Ruddy who has been brilliant so far in thwarting many teams goal attempts. Their major concern would be both at the front and at the back where they have scored just 8 goals in the entire season and conceded a lot of goals, 18 to be precise but these 18 goals were in the beginning of the season. We heard the cannaries manager saying, “We must look for every advantage that we can” and that is what the fans expect them to do as well, taking advantage of a UTD side that has been equally dominant in conceding goals.
Current Form:
In all competitions (last 10 matches): DWWDWLLWLD
In EPL (last 6 matches): DWDWLL
Team News:
Norwich will be without defender Russell Martin (back) but Alex Tettey, who pulled out of the Norway squad for their midweek friendly with a back problem, could be available. On-loan Tottenham striker Harry Kane continues his recovery from a broken metatarsal.
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Manchester UTD
Manager: Sir Alex Fergusson.
The previous meeting between these two teams at Carrow road last season saw UTD fight hard, which required Ryan Giggs to nick all the 3 points deep into the stoppage time while UTD were battling hard against Manchester City for the championship. In contrasting styles, three points tomorrow at Carrow Road would see UTD hold on to a firm grip at the top of the league, given the autumn blues of Chelsea & rusty Manchester City. This is why UTD & their players know how tricky and important such a fixture is where the crowd can really get to you.
Given that UTD have come back to win matches and take 15 points from losing position and the strike force at the manager’s disposal, UTD should grab the three points and improve their goal difference as well. We were seen Sir Alex saying, “We cannot assume to come back from 2-0 down always”, which has been the debate among many fans if UTD could come back always assuming they go down like they have done so far in league as well as in Europe. And against a Norwich City defense that is the joint top goal conceding team in the league, UTD should improve their goal difference. At the back, Smalling and UTD’s defense can expect to get back to rhythm by putting himself confidently against a team that has not scored much this season
Current Form:
In all competitions (last 10 matches): WWWLWWWWWL
In EPL (last 6 matches): WWWWWL
Team News:
Given an acute number of chances this season, the man to look out for is the famous goal poacher & UTD’s new Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, “Chicarito” Javier Hernandez. He has already notched up 8 goals in the last 6 matches & according to Sir Alex’s interview last week, he is set to lead the attack with the Dutchman RVP who is available after having pulled out his national team’s friendly. Rooney & Evans look to be doubtful having pulled due to the sustained ankle injury and groin problem respectively for them. Nani who was out last week is still out due to a tight hamstring.
Formation: Preferred has been 4-2-3-1 but they have been changing formations in game to 4-4-1-1.
Probable Line Ups :
Prediction
While it could prove to be a tricky match for UTD tomorrow, we can expect them to come out of the match winning, but Norwich have already claimed two important vicotries at home this season against Arsenal and Spurs (in capital one cup) this season and they will be looking to add UTD in that list as well. I still predict a 3-1 victory for UTD.
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