Norwich vs. Manchester City: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester City will make the long trip to Carrow Road on Saturday, as they take on Norwich City in the FA Cup third round.
The Blues, who were beaten 2-1 in their League Cup semi-final first leg against Everton on Wednesday, will be looking to bounce back quickly.
Their away form is now a serious concern, and Manuel Pellegrini knows he needs a positive result from this game.
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They have won only one of their last seven away games in all competitions, a record that threatens their chances of silverware this season.
The two sides have played each three times in the FA Cup, with City winning two and Norwich one.
The Premier League game earlier in the season saw City win 2-1, with goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Yaya Toure sealing the three points.
Date: Saturday, January 9
Kick-off: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET
TV Listings: n/a
Livestream: SuperSport
"Wherever you are in the world, you can listen to our #FACup tie live on Canaries Player HD: https://t.co/Rxqn7GW8yH pic.twitter.com/hJYdepOJ2n
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) January 8, 2016"
Form Guide
Norwich City
Norwich City 1-0 Southampton
Norwich 2-0 Aston Villa
Tottenham 3-0 Norwich City
Manchester United 1-2 Norwich City
Norwich 1-1 Everton
Manchester City
Everton 2-1 Manchester City (League Cup)
Watford 1-2 Manchester City
Leicester 0-0 Manchester City
Manchester City 4-1 Sunderland
Arsenal 2-1 City
Predicted Formations
Norwich City
Norwich won't risk starting new signing Ivo Pinto because he has only just arrived in England. Kyle Lafferty is in the squad and available for selection, despite being linked with a move away from the club, per the Yorkshire Evening Post.
"IVO PINTO | Our Portuguese full-back poses for some photographs here at Colney. #ncfc pic.twitter.com/h80SPA6O0K
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) January 8, 2016"
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Rudd; Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Brady; Howson, Tettey, Dorrans, Redmond; Hoolahan; Mbokani
Manchester City
Eliaquim Mangala has joined Vincent Kompany on the treatment table, leaving Martin Demichelis and Nicolas Otamendi as Pellegrini's only fit, recognised centre-backs. Wilfried Bony and Samir Nasri remain out.
Predicted XI {4-2-3-1): Caballero; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Delph; Navas, Silva, Sterling; Iheanacho
Players To Watch
Norwich City: Wes Hoolahan
Norwich playmaker Wes Hoolahan is a talented player and by far their biggest threat.
He has registered six assists in the Premier League this season—the seventh-highest number in the division.
He's Norwich's David Silva, the man who plays between the lines and tries to lay on chances for others with his passing and vision.
Norwich are a decent attacking force, but stopping Hoolahan is the best way to reduce their goalscoring chances.
Manchester City: Kelechi Iheanacho
City's 19-year-old forward Kelechi Iheanacho has played just 275 minutes for City this season, yet he's managed four goals and had an impact every time he's played.
He's in a permanent state of excitement when he plays. His touch and technical quality is superb, and his ability to create chances with moments of individual quality is already well established.
He needs chances, and an FA Cup tie away at Norwich is the percent opportunity.
Key Battle
Robbie Brady vs. Jesus Navas
Jesus Navas has his critics, but again on Wednesday night his introduction from the bench gave City added impetus in attack.
His goal against Everton will improve his confidence—it had been a long time since he had scored and he had missed some gilt-edged chances in previous matches.
He brings pace, width and energy to the City side. If he starts on the right and Raheem Sterling plays on the left, City will stretch the Norwich defence and have a directness they sometimes lack.
His battle with Robbie Brady, who is an attack-minded player, will be an important one.
"Happy 30th birthday, @21LVA! 🎉🎂 #mcfc #elmago pic.twitter.com/kw3tJFiLtj
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) January 8, 2016"
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
