Norwich City vs Middlesbrough: EFL Championship Preview Gameweek 12 2024.
After rescuing a point on the road against Preston North End, the Canaries will be looking to secure a calendar year unbeaten at home against an inconsistent Boro.
The final game of this three-game match week sees the high-flying Norwich City taking on a strong Middlesbrough, with both sides eyeing a potential push into the play-off positions dependent on Saturday’s results.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Canaries can secure a calendar year unbeaten at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon, as long as his injury-stricken side can hold off Michael Carrick’s strong but inconsistent Boro.
Recording two wins and three draws in the last five fixtures, injuries to key figures in the squad, most notably a rib injury suffered by first-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn, could benefit Boro, with backup shot-stopper George Long proving inconsistent in his three outings so far this season.
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Despite the growing list of players in the treatment room, strong showcases from individual players, such as Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle and Spanish forward Borja Sainz, are proving pivotal in continuing this good run of form, with the NR1-based side aiming for a return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
Carrick’s side head to Norfolk with three wins and two losses in their last five matches, including a 1-0 win at home against automatic promotion favourites Sheffield United, courtesy of a fine finish from star striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. Boro have fallen victim to some surprise results this season, including a recent 2-0 defeat to Bristol City at their home ground, the Riverside Stadium.
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With the visitors boasting four wins in their last five clashes with the Canaries, Carrick’s side will be hoping to increase that run, with the most recent clash between the two sides ending in a 2-1 defeat for Norwich, courtesy of former players Sam Greenwood and Sammy Silvera, with the former currently honing his craft at Preston on loan from Daniel Farke’s Leeds United, and the latter on loan from Boro to bottom of the table Portsmouth.
Team news
As mentioned, the hosts will be without Scotland international goalkeeper Gunn due to a rib injury sustained against Leeds, with Long deputising for the foreseeable future.
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Key midfielder Marcelino Nunez will also be unavailable after upsetting a hip injury against Stoke City last weekend. Potential replacements include Sheffield United loanee Anis Ben Slimane and Danish wonderkid Oscar Schwartau.
Middlesbrough are suffering with a shortage of left-backs, with regular player Alex Bangura out with an Achilles tendon issue.
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Key centre-back Dael Fry is also out with a leg issue, with Carrick likely to utilise 20-year-old Rav van den Berg in Fry’s place.
Likely lineups
Norwich City – Long; Fisher, Duffy, Cordoba, Doyle; Schwartau, McLean, Ben Slimane; Crnac, Sainz; Sargent (Likely formation: 4-2-3-1).
Middlesbrough – Dieng; Ayling, van den Burg, Edmunson, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, McGree; Lath (likely formation: 4-2-3-1).
