Newcastle United v Norwich City preview: How to watch, kick-off time, team news, predicted lineups and ones to watch

The next week is set to be a crucial one for Newcastle United’s survival hopes as they face fellow relegation candidates Norwich City and Burnley within the space of five days.

Ahead of this season’s first round of midweek Premier League fixtures, the Magpies sit at the foot of the table with just six points and zero victories to their name.

They will aim to secure their first league win of the season at the 14^th attempt against the Canaries, who will also undoubtedly be viewing this match as hugely significant.

Norwich lie one place and three points above Newcastle having also started the new term poorly, but spirits are high among those associated with the Norfolk club at present as they have collected seven points from their last three games.

Team news – Newcastle

Eddie Howe will be unable to select captain Jamaal Lascelles or Matt Ritchie for his first home game in charge of the Magpies as both players are suspended after each picking up their fifth yellow card of the season at Arsenal.

Defender Paul Dummett will also miss out as he continues his recovery from a calf problem, but there is a chance that Dwight Gayle could return to the matchday squad.

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Team news – Norwich

Meanwhile, Norwich will be without key midfielder Mathias Normann for their visit to the North East after he was forced to come off before half-time during Saturday’s draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Norway international has been experiencing some issues with a recurring pelvic injury of late and is set to see a specialist.

Centre-back Christoph Zimmermann is still recovering from an ankle problem so will not be selected, while full-back Sam Byram is edging closer to a return to the first-team after appearing for the Canaries’ under-23s side on Monday night.

Previous meetings

Two seasons ago, when Norwich were last in the Premier League, the East Anglian outfit collected four points from their two matches against Newcastle. Teemu Pukki netted a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory for City at Carrow Road, while the clash between the two sides at St James’ Park ended goalless.

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While Newcastle have made a very poor start to the campaign, their recent home record against the Canaries should fill them with optimism – the Magpies’ last home league defeat in this fixture came in September 1988.

Additionally, back in August of this year, the two sides faced off in a pre-season friendly a week before the start of the competitive season, with hosts Newcastle winning 3-0.

Ones to watch

Newcastle – Jacob Murphy

Boyhood Magpies supporter Jacob Murphy signed for the club four years ago from Norwich, who helped nurture him into the versatile player he is today.

Notable achievements from his time as a Canary included lifting the FA Youth Cup in 2013, as well as netting ten goals in his final season with the club.

Murphy’s consistent performances during that 2016/17 campaign earned him the move to Newcastle, where he has found regular first-team opportunities hard to come by at times, but with a new man at the helm in Howe he will no doubt be eager to change that.

Norwich – Milot Rashica

Kosovo international Milot Rashica joined Norwich in June from German side Werder Bremen, and while the winger is yet to score while wearing yellow and green, some of his recent performances have proved exactly why City opted to secure his signature.

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In the Canaries’ recent 0-0 draw with high-flying Wolves, Rashica was arguably the best player on the pitch and could have had a number of assists to his name had his teammates been more clinical in front of goal.

New Norwich head coach Dean Smith is known to be a big admirer of Rashica – having tried to sign him whilst in charge of Aston Villa – so it is likely that the 25-year-old will play a key role for the Canaries over the coming months.