Relegation-threatened Norwich host Champions League hopefuls Manchester United on Saturday in a match that could decide the outcome of the season for the two teams. Both sides are in desperate need of points in order to achieve their goals, so we should expect a fierce battle on the pitch. Norwich have surprisingly won this season's reverse fixture, they secured a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford just before Christmas. Last season Manchester United won both league fixtures, 1-0 at Carrow Road and 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Norwich seemed to get close to safety at the beginning of April thanks to a 3-2 win over fellow relegation contenders Newcastle, that result had placed them four points above the danger zone at the time. But they suffered three consecutive defeats after that, two of them against Crystal Palace and Sunderland, and dropped to 19th place as a result, two points away from safety but with a game in hand on 17th-placed Newcastle. Last time out they lost 1-0 at Arsenal. Timm Klose and Andre Wisdom will most likely miss out due to knee injuries.
Manchester United could end a troubled season with a trophy, the FA Cup, and with qualification for next season's Champions League. But they could well miss out on both. If they lose against Norwich this weekend and Manchester City beat Arsenal on Sunday, then the Red Devils will be cut out of the Champions League race. They have no other option than a win at Carrow Road, hoping that the Gunners would get something out of their match against the Citizens. United have a game in hand on City, but it's a tricky one away at West Ham United on Tuesday. Marouane Fellaini is suspended for this match.
Probable line-ups:
Norwich: Ruddy - Pinto, Martin, Bassong, Olsson - Redmond, Howson, O'Neil, Brady - Naismith, Mbokani
Man United: De Gea - Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo - Carrick, Schneiderlin - Lingard, Rooney, Martial - Rashford
My prediction: 0-0 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Norwich win - 4.50 Draw - 3.60 Man United win - 1.91
sharpe
7 years ago
Well Norwich were relegated in the end and United doesn't succeed to qualify for the CL next season so I guess the season was rough by both teams standards. United won that one but it wasn't enough to save their PL season in the end and Norwich just didn't been to consistent in the end to avoid the relegation.
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h34dhunt3r
7 years ago
Your prediction is going right so far Johhny. If dirty Manchester United sells me out one more time this season (talking about this match) I'm gonna go nuts. Cheering for West Ham to take that Champions League spot so this Luis Van Gaal can finally go into retirement, too much money spent and too little results achieved....
Your prediction is going right so far Johhny. If dirty Manchester United sells me out one more time this season (talking about this match) I'm gonna go nuts. Cheering for West Ham to take that Champions League spot so this Luis Van Gaal can finally go into retirement, too much money spent and too little results achieved. It's insane that Glory Manchester United can't pressure and attack Norwich...
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