MY ACCOUNT
Norwich delivered maximum points at the fourth time of asking by winning 2-1 at home to Huddersfield on Tuesday and they will be looking to back it up with a victory over Millwall at Carrow Road on Friday.
The Canaries are among the favourites for promotion but they got off to a slow start, taking one one point from their opening three fixtures before that victory.
Millwall are not burdened by such high expectations but they have been more convincing, taking seven points from a possible 12.
The Lions have a huge incentive against Norwich because a victory would send them to the top of the Championship table.
Team news
Norwich are hoping for good news regarding the fitness of star striker Teemu Pukki, who missed the midweek clash with Huddersfield due to a foot injury.
Canaries’ manager Dean Smith is hopeful that the Finn will be available, but he may also be keen to select Josh Sargeant and Danel Sinani, who were the midweek goalscorers.
Todd Cantwell was the third member of the three-man attack against the Terriers and his place could be under threat.
Millwall’s attacking options are restricted by injuries to Mason Bennett, Tom Bradshaw and Zian Flemming.
But new signing Andreas Voglsammer made his debut off the bench in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Swansea and he will be hoping for further involvement.
The stats
Norwich’s narrow success over Huddersfield was a huge relief because it ended a sequence of 11 matches without a victory.
However, the Canaries still have defensive issues to address having failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 consecutive games.
Millwall have banked six of their seven points at the Den but there is room for improvement on the road.
Gary Rowett’s men have gone nine matches without a victory on their travels.
Prediction
Both teams have scored in each of Norwich’s last four matches and the sequence could be extended in the clash against Millwall, which has the ingredients to deliver a high-scoring outcome.
Millwall are having to adjust to life without classy winger Jed Wallace, who made a free transfer switch to West Brom, but they have brought in attacking reinforcements and look a more potent team than they were last season.
Benik Afobe and Tyler Burey have forged a decent partnership and their pace and energy will ensure a difficult night’s work for a Norwich defence which has looked unsettled since the start of the season.
Millwall have demonstrated a never-say-die spirit in their recent games, coming from two-nil down to win 3-2 at home to Coventry last Saturday, and scoring two injury-time goals to secure a 2-2 draw at Swansea on Tuesday.
The Lions have shown a mental toughness and the necessary physical attributes to keep pushing until the final whistle, but they have looked vulnerable at the back and may struggle to contain a talented Norwich attack.
The Canaries have excellent options up front with Sargeant looking far better suited to the Championship than the Premier League and Sinani looking a much-improved player since last season’s successful loan spell with Huddersfield.
And they may be able to call on Pukki, who amassed tallies of 29 and 26 in his last two Championship seasons (2018-19 and 2020-21).
Norwich should stay on the scoring trail, but they may struggle to keep a clean sheet in a lively, unpredictable contest.
