On Saturday evening, it’s all eyes on Carrow Road as Norwich City welcome West Ham. This match doesn’t carry much promise for the neutrals, however all eyes will indadvertedly be directed towards this match as it was chosen for Saturday Night Football on Sky Sports.
West Ham have been in great form away from home this season, especially defensively. West Ham have conceded just once away from home and have lost just once in their five away games.
West Ham have been suffering at home, but similarly, Norwich have just one more point (5) at Carrow Road this season.
The Hammers are currently on a three game unbeaten run in all competitions having not conceded in any of those three matches. Norwich however have been in torrid form lately and without a win in their last five games. They’ve conceded 18 in that time and scored just twice. A defensive record that would give even West Ham’s lack of attack a confidence boost.
TEAM NEWS
Andy Carroll and Ricardo Vaz Te remain out for West Ham and are joined by Hammer of the Year Winston Reid, who picked up an ankle injury during training. James Collins is likely to return from injury in place on Reid, it is likely that the Welshman will partner James Tomkins. Matt Taylor and Mladen Petric are both sidelined with calf injuries whilst George McCartney and Alou Diarra miss out despite recently returning to full training.
For Norwich, they will be without Alexander Tetty after the midfielder suffered ankle ligament damage against Cardiff City. Robert Snodgrass is likely to make a return after missing the 7-0 defeat versus Manchester City. Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel is also out of Saturday Night Football.
FORM AND STYLES
It is likely that West Ham will start with the now regular 4-6-0 formation. At home Norwich will have to come out and attack for the win, West Ham combated that approach by Spurs when they first tested the no striker formation.
West Ham have been a poor side to watch if you wanted to see goals, as defensively they’ve been superb but offensively, not so good. As for Norwich, they’ve struggled in terms of scoring but have also struggled defensively.
You would therefore expect either a West Ham win, or another 0-0. Football is a funny old game, but you could say with a good amount of confidence that a lot of chances will go begging when these two sides meet.
The Hammers have a great recent record against Norwich, having not lost to the Canaries in the last six meetings between the two sides (4W2D).
ROUND-UP
These two sides are very much equally matched this year. West Ham have more confidence away, compared to at home. West Ham are missing arguably their most consistent performer of the last few years in Winston Reid, and will hope to remain as good at the back without the New Zealand international. Norwich will be looking to impress in front of their home crowd, and West Ham will hope to use that to their advantage with the 4-6-0 formation leading to decisive counter attacking football.
I will be personally hoping and expecting 1 if not 3 points on Saturday evening.
SCORE PREDICTION
Norwich 0-1 West Ham
