The Dean Smith era at Norwich City kicks off on Saturday at Carrow Road versus Southampton. Smith was hired during the November international break after Norwich City’s dismissal of Daniel Farke.
Despite winning on Premier League matchday 11, Norwich City made the coaching change once Smith was sacked by Aston Villa during the international break.
Red-hot restart ⏯🔥#SaintsFC resumed their 2019/20 #PL campaign in style at #NCFC in 2020: pic.twitter.com/Hfl17CjFKc— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 18, 2021
Red-hot restart ⏯🔥#SaintsFC resumed their 2019/20 #PL campaign in style at #NCFC in 2020: pic.twitter.com/Hfl17CjFKc
Southampton are on a four-match unbeaten streak and their last two league matches both ended in wins. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are aiming to spoil Smith’s Norwich City debut at Carrow Road.
Thirtheenth-place Southampton took 10 points from the last 18 on offer while scoring six goals and conceding six to opponents. They are coming off of back-to-back wins to nil over Watford (1-0) and Aston Villa (1-0).
In a strange twist of fate, Southampton defeated Aston Villa on matchday 11, Smith’s last game in charge before being sacked by the club. Now, the Saints face off with Norwich City in Smith’s debut match on matchday 12.
Norwich City took five points from the last 18 on offer in the Premier League. The Canaries scored just three goals during that six-match time span. They conceded 12 times to opponents. Last time out, Norwich City defeated Brentford away 2-1.
Smith could have up to six players on the injury list for the match. Centre-back Ozan Kabak is suffering from glandular fever and could miss out. Grant Hanley and Billy Gilmour are improving with their injuries, but both players remain doubts to appear.
Todd Cantwell is a major doubt and has missed a lot of recent training sessions according to reports. Sam Byram and Christoph Zimmermann are both ruled out of the fixture.
Hasenhuttl has four players on the Southampton injury list. Jack Stephens is ruled out of the fixture with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Nathan Redmond, James Ward-Prowse, and Valentino Livramento are pushing for full fitness following injuries. All three could make the squad.
The 2019-20 Premier League season was the last time these teams met. Southampton did the league double over Norwich City that season with 2-1 home win and 3-0 away victory.
Southampton have struggled for goals this season with 10 in 11 matches. The Saints’ defence has improved in recent matches with back-to-back clean sheets being kept.
Norwich City have scored the league’s fewest goals with five. Even with Smith in charge, Norwich City should struggle in the final third as Southampton seal a third straight win to nil with under 2.5 goals scored.