Match Preview | Norwich City vs. Cardiff City
The Bluebirds will look to make it three consecutive wins when they travel to Norwich City’s Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon (25/02), 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Norwich City’s manager is David Wagner, who was appointed last month following the sacking of previous head coach Dean Smith.
During his playing career, Wagner represented the likes of Bundesliga outfits Eintracht Frankfurt, Mainz and Schalke.
Switching to coaching in 2011, Wagner spent four years at Borussia Dortmund II, where he worked with his former Mainz teammate Jürgen Klopp.
Wagner made the move to the English system firstly in November 2015, taking charge of Huddersfield Town. His time with the Terriers was productive, earning promotion to the Premier League in May 2017.
Since departing the John Smith’s Stadium in 2019, Wagner has managed Schalke and Young Boys, prior to his move to Norwich City.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYERS
The Canaries could be without some key players this weekend, with strikers Teemu Pukki and Josh Sargent nursing injuries.
Pukki has finished top scorer in Norwich's last four seasons, and has ten goals in the Championship this season. The Finnish international also has eight assists to his tally this campaign.
Sargent is the Canaries’ top scorer in the league this year with 11 goals, but an ankle injury ruled him out of their midweek clash against Birmingham City.
In the absence of Pukki and Sargent, Chilean midfielder Marcelino Núñez stepped up with a brace in midweek, while the likes of Adam Idah and Kieran Dowell also pose a threat.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | CITY’S RECORD
The Bluebirds first faced the Canaries back in December 1931, which was also City’s first visit to Newmarket Road, with the hosts claiming a 2-0 win.
Since then, City have beaten Norwich City on 17 occasions, drawing nine times, while the Canaries have won 33 meetings.
The Bluebirds’ most recent victory over Norwich came on the opening day of this season, when they visited Cardiff City Stadium in July.
A brilliant second-half strike from Romaine Sawyers was enough for City to open the campaign with three points.
IN THE PRESS | WHAT’S BEEN SAID
Ahead of facing the Canaries, boss Sabri Lamouchi spoke to the press, expressing his desire to build on back-to-back wins over Birmingham City and Reading.
“After these two wins I’ve seen many smiling faces, so it’s very positive. As I said to the players and the staff, fortunately we won these two, but now it’s just the beginning, because the job is not done. We must continue to be hard working, and we know that it will not be easy."
Watch Sabri’s pre-match press conference live on Cardiff City TV!
