Norwich vs Sunderland predictions: Canaries can tame Black Cats on home soil
- Norwich are unbeaten in 10 matches at Carrow Road
- Sunderland have lost three games in a row in the Championship
- Recommended bet: Norwich to win
Norwich will look to extend their unbeaten run at Carrow Road to 11 matches when they host fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
The Canaries' recent impressive results have left them on the verge of the play-offs, while the Black Cats have fallen five points behind David Wagner's side after three consecutive defeats and their season looks to be in the balance.
Sunderland recently sacked Michael Beale after an unsuccessful spell in charge at the Stadium of Light and interim coach Mike Dodds has his work cut out ahead of Saturday's trip to Norfolk.
Team news
Norwich centre-back Shane Duffy has been nursing a muscle injury and Saturday's game may come too soon for him, although he is thought to be close to a return to full fitness.
The same cannot be said of winger Jon Rowe, who remains sidelined for the next few weeks due to a hamstring issue.
Sunderland's treatment room is nearly at capacity, although there are hopes that Aji Alese, Bradley Dack and Dennis Cirkin will return from their injuries in time for the trip to East Anglia.
Patrick Roberts (hamstring) and Corry Evans (knee) are not expected to return for a few weeks, while full-back Niall Huggins (groin) is out for the season with a knee injury.
The stats
Sunderland won the reverse meeting 3-1 in October and they have won the last two fixtures between the two clubs.
Norwich have only lost two of their previous 10 in the second tier, while at home, they are unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions.
Wagner's side have won four in a row at Carrow Road.
Sunderland's three consecutive defeats have seen them fall eight points behind sixth-placed Hull City in the race for promotion.
The Black Cats have won only one of their last 12 in the Championship away from home.
Prediction
The timing of this fixture could not be any worse for Sunderland, who look lost and without a plan under a permanent manager.
Beale's appointment as Tony Mowbray's successor failed to pay off and the players may soon start to lose faith in their promotion bid with a new boss still to be named.
The same cannot be said of Norwich, who have proven how consistent they can be at home. Four wins in a row will have lifted the confidence levels in the dressing room and Wagner's side should have far too much quality for Saturday's opponents.
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