Premier League Preview: Norwich City vs. West Ham United

Both sides have one thought on their mind heading in to this game…. score goals.

  • Norwich are unbeaten in 15 home league games against West Ham
  • The Canaries have conceded 18 goals in their last five matches
  • West Ham have recorded four 0-0 draws this season, most in the PL

Both sides have one thought on their mind heading in to this game…. score goals.

Two of the leanest attacks in the PL will meet at Carrow Road on Saturday as Norwich host West Ham United (watch live on NBC, 12:30pm ET and watch live online at NBC Sports Live Extra) with both teams desperate for a win.

Norwich City are the lowest scoring side in the PL with just six goals for this season, while West Ham haven’t fared much better as they’ve only scored eight.

But don’t let the low-scoring figures put you off, this one has all the makings to be a pulsating clash on a chilly evening in Norfolk.

Plus Norwich manager Chris Hughton is reportedly fighting for his job after a poor run of form, including that 7-0 demolition from Manchester City last weekend, has seen the Canaries drop into the relegation zone despite spending big to bring the likes of Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel this summer. But have missed out through injury to date, but the goals and creativity going forward just isn’t clicking for Norwich and now they’re leaking goals at the back.

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That’s worrying as Norwich were always so sound defensively in their last two PL campaigns, but in their opening 10 matches this season they’ve let in 20 goals already.

Sam Allardyce‘s West Ham side are incredibly resolute in defense after keeping six clean sheets in 10 games and have Jussi Jaaskelainen to thank for that with some terrific displays. However the Hammer manager has been hampered with injuries to star striker Andy Carroll and many other attackers and Allardyce has already described this match as “six-pointer.” This is serious.

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In terms of injuries, Robert Snodgrass will return for Norwich but summer signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel will miss out with a toe injury. West Ham are still struggling to have any fit strikers to call upon, as long-term absentees Carroll and Ricardo Vaz Te are joined by Mladen Petric on the treatment table.

What they’re saying

Sam Allardyce plays up importance of Norwich game: “It’s a six-pointer I would say already. They played very well in their last home game against Cardiff. Irrespective of recent results I was listening to the commentary of that game about how many chances they created and how many chances they missed. We have to make sure that we frustrate them in that area again on Saturday.”

Chris Hughton on his sides responding following their 7-0 loss at Man City: “We’re on the back of a negative at the moment with the Manchester City result, but it was only two games before that we were on the back of some really good performances. It’s our responsibility now to make sure that we get the right reaction from that game, and the great thing about this game is that you always get another opportunity. It’s a home game against West Ham and we need to make sure we get the right result. If we win on Saturday, it will give us back a good feel and we will go above West Ham in the table.”

Prediction

Despite West Ham’s poor run of form away at Norwich in the league, they’ve actually picked up some good results on the road this season and Big Sam sets them up as difficult to beat. The Canaries can’t get that lucky break they need and it’s going to be a long hard season unless the likes of Hooper, Elmander and van Wolfswinkel start scoring. West Ham will sit back and soak up the pressure, and expect them to hit the Canaries on the break to devastating effect. An away win is the smart bet here, I fear for Hughton’s future.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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