PREVIEW: NORWICH CITY

Cardiff take on the Canaries at Cardiff City Stadium

Cardiff City v Norwich City
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Saturday, 1st February, KO 3pm
Match-tag:#CARNOR (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
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Cardiff City take on Norwich City at Cardiff City Stadium in Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s second home game in charge.

MATCH FACTS

- Norwich have won just one of their last eight Barclays Premier League away games (W1 D2 L5).
- 12 of Cardiff’s 18 Premier League points this season have been secured at home.
- Eight of Norwich’s last nine Premier League games have seen fewer than three goals scored.
- Two of Norwich’s three Premier League games in February last season ended 0-0.
- Steven Caulker has blocked more opposition shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (34).
- Leroy Fer has conceded 41 fouls this season, only Chelsea’s Ramires (44) has been penalised more often.

KEY PLAYER: Leroy Fer



The Canaries’ summer acquisition has become a regular in the Norwich City engine room following his move from FC Twente. A powerful box-to-box midfielder, Fer has made 25 appearances for the Canaries this season in all competitions, contributing four goals.

IN-FORM PLAYER: Ryan Bennett

The Norwich centre-back is quite possibly enjoying his best run in the Canaries’ defence since arriving from Peterborough United in January 2012. Bennett scored the vital winning goal against Hull City earlier this month, his last minute header grabbing three important points for the Canaries. 

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Cardiff City: LDLWLL
Last time out: Manchester United 2-0 Cardiff City – Tuesday, 28th January, Barclays Premier League.

An early goal from the returning Robin van Persie and a second half strike from winger Ashley Young saw United to three valuable points despite the Bluebirds enjoying the majority of possession at Old Trafford.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall, Caulker, Hudson (c) (Turner 67), John, McNaughton, Medel, Whittingham, Noone (Daehli 78) Mutch (Kim 51), Bellamy, Campbell. Subs not used: Lewis, Eikrem, Gunnarsson, Berget.

Norwich City:  DDLLWD
Last time out: Norwich City 0-0 Newcastle United – Tuesday, 28th January, Barclays Premier League.

A dominant first half display from the Magpies saw Loic Remy hit the woodwork on three occasions before being sent-off in a join dismissal with Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson. The City midfielder has since had his red card rescinded.

Team – Norwich City: Ruddy, Martin, Olsson, Bennett, Bassong, Snodgrass, Johnson (s/o 82), Pilkington (Redmond, 71), Fer, Hooper (Tettey, 84), van Wolfswinkel (Elmander, 71). Subs not used: Garrido, Bunn, Whittaker, Becchio.    
   
LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:
2013/14: Saturday, 26th October 2013, Barclays Premier League - Norwich City 0-0 Cardiff City



A 0-0 draw at Carrow Road ended in controversy as Leroy Fer rolled the ball into an empty net from a throw-in that the Bluebirds had previously awarded the home side to allow Alex Tettey to get treatment. The goal was disallowed by Referee Mike Jones and the game ended in a draw.

Team - Cardiff City: Cardiff City: Marshall, Taylor, Caulker (C), Turner, Whittingham, Medel (Bellamy 72), Campbell, Odemwingie (Cowie 45), Kim (Gunnarsson 45), Mutch, Theophile-Catherine. Subs not used: Lewis, Hudson, Mason, Maynard.
         
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg

Durham-born Mark Clattenburg has enjoyed a successful career on the national and international stage since he first took charge of a Football League match as a 25-year-old in 2000.

The former electrician was in the middle for Chesterfield’s clash with York City on that day and rapidly progressed up the career ladder before being promoted to the Select Group of referees in 2004. He has since regularly featured in the Premier League and was rewarded by being appointed to the FIFA list in 2006.

Clattenburg last officiated a Cardiff City match in September, taking charge of the Bluebirds clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Cardiff City Stadium.

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