Championship news: Norwich City vs Stoke City – Five key battles and score prediction

We bloody love the English Football League here at Sports News Blitz, with co-founders Simon Wilkes and Matt Dudley supporting West Brom and Notts County respectively.

Unfortunately, we have a few too many Leeds United fans on our editorial team, and oh boy do they crow about being top of the Championship table.

The mighty Whites and Sheffield United seem to be pulling away from the chasing pack in the automatic promotion spots, but the race to get into the Championship play-offs will be thrilling, with only six points separating the sixth-placed Baggies and Preston North End in 15th.

We are now doing weekly betting tips for the Championship – arguably a superior division to the Premier League in many ways, but mainly the fans and away days.

And we have also taken on a Stoke City writer in Tom Day as the Potters are just one of those teams it’s easy to root for, especially as Liam Delap – son of former Potter and long-throw specialist Rory – looks like he has the chops to lead England’s forward line for many years to come. 

Enough of the preamble, here is said Tom Day with his debut piece for Sports News Blitz, a look at the key battles set to take place on the pitch in this weekend’s clash between lowly Stoke City and the play-off chasing Canaries.

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Johannes Hoff Thorup vs Mark Robins

With Hoff Thorup still early in his managerial career, the two managers have only met once before when Norwich ran out 1-0 winners against Robins’ then Coventry City.

The Dane has had a mixed start to his time at Norwich as he looks to pivot away from his predecessor’s pragmatic style in favour of possession-based football. 

The Canaries currently sit 12th and are still looking towards the top six, aided by a grouping of sides who are all struggling to find consistency.

Mark Robins has also had a mixed start to his Stoke City tenure after joining on New Year’s Day, arriving after a nearly-eight year stint with Coventry City ended with his surprise sacking.

The former Coventry manager has failed to build on the momentum built by caretaker Ryan Shawcross’ short time in charge, delivering three points from a possible 12 and only scoring one goal in that time.

However, with two wins in the last three, and a long injury list slowly returning – which includes standout winger Million Manhoef – the tide may be turning for Robins.

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Borja Sainz vs Junior Tchamadeu 

Sainz has been a key player for Norwich this season, leading the Championship scorer list with 15 goals despite being banned for the last six matches for spitting. 

The Spaniard also leads the league in dribbles per game with 2.2 as well as in shots with 3.1. 

Stoke City’s young full-back has also been a key player at times this season, improving on his shaky start in the Potteries.

The right-back relies on his athleticism to get the better of opponents but has sometimes struggled against technical wingers who like to cut inside like Sainz. 

Despite his explosive start, Sainz’s last goal came in a 4-2 win over Luton back in November. Stoke’s full-back will be hoping he can continue to deny the winger’s quest for the golden boot.

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Josh Sargent vs Ashley Phillips 

After returning from a groin injury that left the American international out for the last three months, Josh Sargent has been in fine form, netting five in his last seven. 

Sargent is a handful for defenders, possessing all the attributes of a complete striker and crafting chances for both himself and his team-mates. 

The USMNT striker has 14 goal contributions this season, four less than the leading Sainz but all the more impressive considering the Spaniard has played almost 1,000 more minutes.

The Spurs loanee has been a standout in the Stoke defence this season, with most fans fearful throughout January that he may be recalled by his parent club during their injury crisis. 

The Welshman leads the Potters ranks with 6.4 clearances and 1.1 blocks per game. 

Phillips will look to use his pace and power to stop Sargent as he tries to find pockets behind an often shaky Stoke defence.

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Lucien Mahovo vs Bae Jun-ho 

Mahovo was playing in the National League North this time last season whilst on loan at Boston United from Notts County.

The 19-year-old was signed in the summer by Norwich and, after recently being promoted to the first team, he has cemented a starting place at left-back. 

An all-round defender who contributes defensively as well as in the build-up, Mahovo has taken his chance with two hands. 

Jun-ho was Stoke City’s player of the season last year and remained at the club despite rumoured interest from Premier League sides.

However, the South Korean has often struggled to make an impact this season, his development perhaps stunted by playing under four different permanent managers in just under two years.  

Despite this, Jun-ho netted his first goal of the season in Stoke’s 3-1 victory against Swansea, with City fans hoping it will help him recapture his form. 

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Shane Duffy vs Ali Al-Hamadi 

Veteran defender Shane Duffy has been a mainstay for Norwich this season, starting every league game so far.

He has helped with Thorup’s transition into a team that builds from the back, averaging 77.5 passes per game, a stat only narrowly beaten by fellow centre-half Callum Doyle on 80.2.

Al-Hamadi arrived in the Potteries in January, aiming to fill the hole left by Tom Cannon after Leicester cut his loan short to sell the striker to Sheffield United.

Known for his superb work-rate, sporting director Jon Walters expressed his desire to sign him the previous summer, relaying that he possesses the ethic of hard work needed to play for  Stoke City.

With Doyle out through suspension, this will be the first league game this season that Duffy won’t play alongside the Englishman. 

Al-Hamadi will look to capitalize and press the centre-backs as much as possible as they look to pass out from the back, hoping to win the ball and add to his record of one in three for the Potters.

Summary 

Stoke have failed to beat Norwich in their last eight meetings, with the Canaries winning five of them.

Thorup’s side boasts a fairly impressive record at Carrow Road, only losing three in 16, but could be without their usual midfield trio of Kenny McLean, Emil Marcondes, and Marcelino Nunez, who all remain doubts.

The away side comes into the match on the back of two wins in three, including 3-1 and 2-1 victories against Swansea and Hull respectively. 

The Potters have also recently welcomed the returns of Million Manhoef and Ben Pearson, who could both feature.

Score prediction: Norwich City 1-1 Stoke City 

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