Norwich City will host Queens Park Rangers (QPR) this Sunday at Carrow Road, as both teams look to solidify their standings in the competitive EFL Championship. With vastly different trajectories this season, the Canaries are aiming to bounce back from their recent struggle, marking this game as pivotal.
Currently positioned 12th, Norwich City recently secured their first win after four matches, defeating Millwall 2-1. This much-needed victory helped them regain some momentum after previously enduring three defeats, which had dropped them down the table. The match saw Norwich scoring early thanks to Emiliano Marcondes, followed by Oscar Schwartau adding to the tally before Millwall's Romain Esse managed to reduce the deficit. Norwich's head coach, Johannes Hoff Thorup, enthused about the performance, saying, "I thought it was an excellent first half, very, very good. We had good flow, good rhythm, and created many chances. I was pleased."
QPR, contrastingly, come to this clash following their 3-0 loss to Swansea, ending their seven-match unbeaten streak. The defeat, attributed to two goals from Liam Cullen, showcased the challenges QPR has faced this season, sitting at 17th place, just six points above the relegation zone.
Historically, Norwich holds significant dominance over QPR at home, boasting 13 wins and only one loss out of their last 19 home league encounters. The last time QPR triumphed at Carrow Road was back in September 2008, with the Canaries eager to continue this home advantage and assert their authority again. QPR's recent struggles can also be seen away from home, having won just one of their last 25 league outings against teams beginning with N.
Both teams come with injury concerns. Norwich's squad is missing key forward Josh Sargent, who is out for the remainder of the year due to injury, alongside midfielder Kenny McLean, serving one more match of his four-game suspension. QPR, on the other hand, will be without defender Steve Cook, who is also sidelined due to his recent injury. Thorup's squad has had to navigate injuries to high-impact players throughout the season, impacting their consistency.
The match is highly anticipated, especially since it can be pivotal for both teams as the season continues. Norwich is aiming to break away from mid-table instability, whereas QPR seeks to avoid any involvement near the relegation spots. Fans will hope to see their teams secure necessary points as both strive for improvement.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM GMT, and the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, allowing fans to witness this important fixture. For fans unable to access the game on television, streaming is available via their usual services with VPN options suggested for those watching from abroad.
With both teams eager for the win, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The match presents Norwich City with the perfect opportunity to build on their Boxing Day success, aiming for successive victories for the first time since earlier this month. Meanwhile, QPR will attempt to bounce back from their adverse performance, demonstrating resilience as they fight to regain their footing.
The excitement leading up to the game suggests it will be an electrifying affair, complete with fiery rivalries and fan enthusiasm as supporters await to see who claims bragging rights. After all, every point counts significantly as both teams look to establish their standing as the competition intensifies.