Match preview: Norwich v Wednesday

4 December 2020

We’re back on our travels this weekend with a Championship clash against league leaders Norwich.

The Owls head to Norfolk on the back of three successive draws under manager Tony Pulis.

After a hard-fought clash with Reading, Wednesday held on for a point in the midweek Hillsborough fixture – playing an hour with 10 men following Liam Shaw’s red card.

Pulis has demanded better decision-making in games from his side after the red card count became five for the season.

But the Owls have a solid look under the new Wednesday boss and have taken many positives from the recent resolute displays.

Norwich have lost just one game on home soil this season and will be looking for a response having gone two without a win and slipping to defeat away at Luton on Wednesday night.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game;

MATCH DETAILS

- Date: Saturday 5 December
- Kick-off, 3.00pm
- Championship
- Carrow Road

OFFICIALS

Referee – Jarrod Gillett
Assistant Referee – Paul Hodskinson
Assistant Referee – Philip Dermott
Fourth Official – Alan Dale

WATCH LIVE

The game is live on iFollow, with multi-angle coverage, replays and commentary in association with BBC Radio Sheffield.

CLICK HERE to purchase your match pass.

TEAM NEWS

SWFC: Barry Bannan is the only injury concern from the midweek draw with Reading.

The captain took a knock to his ankle during the first half against the Royals and was taken off at the break.

Pulis says Bannan will be assessed on Friday.

Liam Shaw is suspended after his red card in midweek, while Josh Windass comes back into contention having served his three-match ban.

Dominic Iorfa made his return on Wednesday from the substitutes’ bench.

Keiren Westwood (groin) remains sidelined.

Norwich: Due to a number of injuries, the Canaries were only able to name seven substitutes for the midweek clash with Luton.

The league leaders were beaten 3-1 at Kenilworth Road.

Teemu Pukki, who has been crowned as the Finnish Player of the Year, is expected to return to the side after a spell out through injury.

Jordan Hugill, Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell are all ruled out.

FORM GUIDE

Wednesday: DLDDD
Norwich: WWWDL

LAST FIVE v Norwich

Norwich 2-2 Owls – 19 April 2019 – Championship
Owls 0-4 Norwich – 3 November 2018 – Championship
Owls 5-1 Norwich – 6 May 2018 – Championship
Norwich 3-1 Owls – 9 December 2017 – Championship
Owls 5-1 Norwich – 4 March 2017 – Championship

Match Reports

Report: Norwich 2-1 Wednesday

5 December 2020

The Owls suffered a late double blow at Norwich as Tony Pulis was denied his maiden win.

Josh Windass gave the visitors a second half lead but just as the finish line was in sight, goals from substitute Josh Martin and defender Max Aarons turned an enthralling game on its head.

It was hard on Wednesday, who were stout and well organised at the back, but the mounting pressure from the hosts finally told.

The Canaries, out to arrest a mini slump in form, were straight on the front foot and struck the woodwork inside three minutes.

Emi Buendia warmed the hands of Joe Wildsmith from a tight angle and Teemu Pukki picked up the scraps to hit the foot of the post.

The Owls were undaunted, though, and went just as close to opening the scoring. Barry Bannan delivered a wicked corner that Julian Börner nodded goalwards only to see the busy Buendia head off the line.

Kadeem Harris was thwarted by keeper Michael McGovern moments later before the contest settled into an even affair up to half time.

Grant Hanley saw a set piece drift wide for the hosts and Joost van Aken was inches off target from distance as Wednesday had the final say of a relatively equal first 45.

Hanley gave the Owls another fright five minutes after the restart, glancing narrowly wide, and Moses Odubajo went close at the other end.

But right on the hour, Wednesday broke the deadlock. Bannan fed Adam Reach down the left, the cross was a peach, and Windass planted his header past the diving McGovern.

It was rearguard action from there on in, with the Owls reliant on the counter as Norwich dominated the ball.

But home hearts were in their mouths on 70 minutes when Hanley tangled with Harris in the box but the penalty claims were waved away.

Joey Pelupessy forced McGovern into action before Wednesday were hit with two goals in three minutes.

First, on 81 minutes, Mario Vrancic threaded a neat ball down the left of the penalty area for Martin to slot beneath the advancing Wildsmith.

There was barely time for the Owls to recover before Norwich scored what proved the winner.

Aarons played a give and go with Pukki to motor into the danger zone and thump emphatically across Wildsmith and in.

Wednesday: Wildsmith, Odubajo (Kachunga 87), Lees, Börner, van Aken, Paterson, Iorfa (Pelupessy 53), Harris (Brown 87), Bannan, Reach, Windass (Palmer 65)