Two teams in need of a win will meet at Carrow Road this weekend, as Norwich City take on Premier League rivals Swansea City.
The Canaries have gone six games without claiming a victory, while the Swans have picked up maximum points just once since the beginning of September.
Norwich
© Getty Images
Having picked up just two wins from their opening 11 Premier League games, it is already looking like Norwich are going to be in for a tough season.
The Canaries showed promising signs in the early weeks of the campaign, with both of those victories coming in their first five games, but they have not tasted success since a 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth in mid-September.
They have not won any of their six games since, with the last four all ending in defeats, including a 6-2 hammering at Newcastle United three weeks ago.
Alex Neil's side were most recently in action last weekend against Manchester City and they looked to have salvaged a point when Cameron Jerome capitalised on a mistake from Joe Hart to drag his team level with seven minutes remaining.
However, Norwich's hopes of an unlikely draw at the Etihad were crushed as Russel Martin handled a goalbound shot from Raheem Sterling and was sent to the stands, with Yaya Toure stepping up to dispatch the penalty and seal a 2-1 win for the Citizens.
Recent form: LLLDL
Swansea
© Getty Images
Swansea have also been struggling to find any momentum in recent weeks and they have suffered four defeats in their previous seven league outings.
Such a poor run of form for Garry Monk's side looked unlikely at the end of August, when they earned a 2-1 win over Manchester United, to continue what had been a very bright start to the season.
That was followed by a winless run of five games in the top flight and a League Cup exit to Hull City, before they bounced back by claiming all three points in a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.
However, it proved to be only a temporary return to form, as last weekend they slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium.
Monk's side had produced a good first-half display, but when Olivier Giroud scored shortly after the break the momentum swung firmly in the Gunners' favour, with Laurent Koscielny and Joel Campbell adding further goals to wrap up the points.
Aside from losing the match, it was also the fifth game out of the last eight in which Swansea have not scored, with Bafetimbi Gomis seeing his long run without a goal continue.
Recent form: LDLWL
Team News
© Getty Images
Norwich will be without the suspended Martin, who was sent off last weekend, so Steven Whittaker is likely to return to the defence.
Andre Wisdom is also ruled out with a knee problem, while Matt Jarvis coul miss out after being forced off with an injury at the Etihad.
Swansea, meanwhile, have no injury worries or suspensions to contend with, but Monk could still make changes after last weekend's defeat to the Gunners.
Jack Cork may be one of those who returns to the starting lineup, but Gomis should keep his place despite not scoring for eight games,
Norwich possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Whittaker, Bennett, Bassong, Brady; Redmond, Tettey, Mulumbu, Howson; Hoolahan; Jerome
Swansea possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Naughton, Williams, Fernandez, Taylor; Cork, Shelvey; Montero, Sigurdsson, Ayew; Gomis
Head To Head
These teams last met in the Premier League two seasons ago, with Swansea romping to a 3-0 win at home, after the reverse fixture at Carrow Road ended in a 1-1 draw.
However, it is Norwich who have the better head-to-head record in the top flight, and the Canaries have won three of the last six games played between the teams.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Norwich 1-1 Swansea
With both teams suffering from a lack of form, it could be a tight and cagey affair at Carrow Road. They have also struggled to keep clean sheets in recent weeks, although Swansea have had more problems finding the net than their counterparts. Due to the pressure of the occasion, we think that the match will end all square, leaving each club with a point to take into the international break.
Alex Meyers
