Norwich City Match Preview
West Ham United play their third midweek fixture of the season tonight, as they welcome newly-promoted Norwich City to Stratford.
This fixture had to be rearranged from its original 18 December date after it was postponed, due to a Coronavirus outbreak in the Canaries’ squad.
The hosts will look to continue their good start to the New Year after two top-flight wins and progression to the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of fellow Premier League side Leeds United.
West Ham went unbeaten against the top-flight newcomers last campaign but having already lost to play-off winners Brentford here back in October, they did make amends as they thumped Watford 4-1 last month and will hope to pick up another three points against the division’s bottom side.
The visitors dispensed with the services of Daniel Farke back in November and the following day, Aston Villa also relieved Dean Smith of his duties at Villa Park meaning Norwich moved quickly to confirm Smith as their new Head-Coach.
The Hammers have already inflicted defeat on the former Walsall and Brentford boss this season as they beat the Villains 4-1 while they were under his stewardship and they will be desperate to pile more pain on him in East London this evening.
Both teams will be looking to build on their respective FA Cup wins on Sunday, as the Canaries achieved a 1-0 triumph against Sky Bet League One side Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Norwich enjoyed a brief period of relative success when Smith first took charge with five points coming from his first three matches but since the end of November, normal service has resumed and tonight’s visitors have not acquired a single point, or indeed scored. Based on those facts, it will be difficult to see past a win for the home side.
Michail Antonio is set to retain his place after David Moyes named him in the starting line-up against Marcelo Bielsa’s side three days ago fresh from signing a new contract which keeps him at the club until at least 2024. He is in line for another start here, as is Nikola Vlašić. Pablo Fornals could also be restored to the midfield after he was in the squad at the weekend for the first time since Boxing Day.
Vladimír Coufal and Łukasz Fabiański were rested last time out and both are set to return here.
The match is a 7:45pm kick-off and the referee is Simon Hooper.