The Premier League is back, and so is the often action-packed fight for survival and the chance for a team to complete the great escape.
Norwich City Looking to Restart Survival Fight Against Southampton
Premier League Preview: Norwich v Southampton
Norwich City, in particular, will be a team to keep an eye on as they look to overhaul the 6 point gap between themselves and safety.
The Canaries host Southampton on Friday in a much-anticipated return to action.
The Saints travel to Norwich looking to avoid a return to their dismal form before lockdown which saw them lose four out of their last five games.
Previous Meetings
Whilst a game between Norwich and Southampton may not be remembered as one for the ages, it has still provided entertainment over the years. Just a few months ago, in their first meeting since 2017, the two played out a back and forth game in which Southampton came out as 2-1 winners to further solidify their survival chances.
Now, months later, the two meet again with Southampton sitting comfortably in 14th. This time around, the game is simply a must-win for Norwich; they cannot afford any more slips and must take advantage of winnable games such as the one this Friday.
The Canaries looked sharp, too, in their recent friendly victory over Tottenham Hotspurs; a game that should have given them a timely confidence boost ahead of the Southampton game. A win for Norwich would keep their slowly fading light of hope alive at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, a win for Southampton could take them above Newcastle and up to 13th.
Team News
Norwich
Norwich would have welcomed the break a few months ago; they were struggling for form; struggling with injuries and struggling to survive. Fast forward to post lockdown, however, and Daniel Farke will have Timm Klose and Ben Godfrey back at his disposal. Farke will undoubtedly be pleased to see the return of the two key defenders.
Teemu Pukki, too, has been given time to regain his form and match fitness after sustaining a toe injury before the enforced break.
It has also been confirmed, however, that Christoph Zimmermann, Grant Hanley and Sam Byram will be out for the remainder of the season: three injuries that could have serious consequences in the Canaries’ fight for survival.
Southampton
As for Southampton, Nathan Redmond’s return to fitness after a muscle injury means that the Saints go into the game with a fully fit squad. Ralph Hasenhüttl will certainly be keen to celebrate his recent contract extension with a win on Southampton’s return to action.
Prediction
The game is an important one for both sides.
Norwich need the points more than most as they look to complete the great escape. Meanwhile, Southampton will be desperate to return with a bang to further cement their place in the division.
The game looks set to be an action-packed and potential season-defining one for both sides.
Norwich City 1-2 Southampton
Main Photo
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