Swansea City face Norwich City at Carrow Road tomorrow in what could prove to be an early ‘six-pointer`.
Both teams have started the Premier League campaign well, with Norwich and Swansea sitting 9th and 10th in the table respectively.
Norwich City have amassed 4 points from their opening 3 home games in the Premier League having already welcomed Stoke City (1-1), West Bromwich Albion (0-1) and Sunderland (2-1) at Carrow road.
Swansea City`s away form is something that Brendan Rodgers` men will be looking to address against Norwich.
The Swans have had a difficult time away from home this season, with trips to Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea seeing the Swans concede 9 goals and scoring just 1.
They will see this game as a real opportunity to get their first away points of the campaign.
Vital Quotes:
Brendan Rodgers:
‘Getting an away win in the Premier League is tough and you need the confidence of getting points away from home, but we have players that have improved both tactically and mentally from last season,’
‘We have started this season a little bit like last year – we have been formidable at home but we are yet to pick up any points on the road.
‘Norwich will come into the game with a good home record, but I have great belief in the players that they can go to any arena and pick up points.
‘They (Norwich) are hungry to do well, like us, but when we play well we normally pick up points. And the target is simple – to win the next game.’
‘We did well in our last game against Stoke but this is another new challenge for us,’ he said. ‘They have quality players and they still have the core of the group that got them promoted.
‘They have been a Premier League club before so it should be a really good game.
‘We arrive there a better group this year but they have a good home record so it will be a tough game.’
Norwich City boss, Paul Lambert:
‘I think every game is hard,’
‘I don’t just look at the Swansea game and think it is going to be easier than Manchester United were.
‘That was really, really hard and I don’t think (Saturday) will be any different.
‘Every match in the Premier League is tough and we have to earn the right to beat them and vice versa.
‘I don’t think it will be a defining moment on what is going to happen.
‘I think throughout the course of the season a lot of things happen and you pick up points where people don’t think you will.
‘Then you lose when people expect you to win so I am not one to think what could happen. It is another game that we will try to win.’
Norwich City Team News:
Norwich are expected to keep their line-up against Swansea, with no fresh injury concerns following the international break.
Paul Lambert is still without Daniel Ayala (knee), Zak Whitbread (hamstring), Elliot Ward (knee) and James Vaughan (knee).
Possible Starting 11: Ruddy, Naughton, Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Bennett, Hoolahan, Fox, Pilkington, Morison, Johnson.
Player to watch: Wesley Hoolahan
If Norwich City can win the battle of midfield, then Hoolahan`s involvement in the final third will be key to Norwich` success as he has the ability to create good goal-scoring chances.
Swansea City Team News:
Swansea will welcome back Leon Britton and Kemy Agustien following injury.
Ashley Williams and Gary Monk will partner-up at the back as they are the only available center-halves fit at the club.
Swansea City awaits international clearance for new signing Vangelis Moras.
Possible Starting 11: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Taylor, Dyer, Allen, Gower, Routledge, Sinclair, Graham.
Player to watch: Danny Graham
Fresh after scoring his first goal for Swansea, the hard working intelligent striker is full of confidence going in to the game with Norwich.
His work rate and off the ball movement will create chances for himself and others.
Match Facts & Stats
Norwich have only lost one of their last 15 home games, having said that, the Canaries have kept just one clean sheet at home in the last 13 games and 3 clean sheets in the last 24 home games.
Swansea have only one win from their last 9 games but have won 3 of the last 4 meetings with Norwich City.
Ref Watch:
Referee: Jon Moss.
This will be Jon Moss` first Premier League outing since taking charge of Wigan v Tottenham 24/09/2011.
Since then, Moss has officiated two League 2 and three Championship games.
Jon Moss averages 3 yellow cards a game and has only sent 2 players off in 7 games for 2 bookable offenses.
Match Prediction:
It`s a real tough one to call this.
I`ll try not to sit on the fence so; I`m going for an away win.
Swansea City showed a mental and physical toughness against Stoke City and even though they will be the away side, I think Swansea will see too much of the ball against Norwich and will fashion many goal-scoring opportunities.
Swansea City 3-0
Next Fixtures:
Saturday 22nd October
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Swansea City 12:45
