Norwich City predicted lineup vs Burnley - Premier League

Norwich City welcome fellow strugglers Burnley to the not entirely intimidating setting of Carrow Road in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

No Premier League side's home fans have been treated to fewer wins than the Canary faithful this season, claiming just two victories all term. Norwich have also scored the joint-fewest home goals in the entire division, troubling their visitors' net just ten times (and 20% of those were opposition players scoring own goals).

Here's the XI Dean Smith may deploy to earn a much-needed home victory this weekend.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Tim Krul (GK) - Norwich's number one is a nailed-on starter for a match he has described as a "must-win."

Sam Byram (RB) - With Max Aarons a doubt, Byram may be afforded another run out with the sharp reminder that volleyball spikes of the ball are frowned upon, particularly in your own penalty area.

Grant Hanley (CB) - The Scotland international hasn't marshalled his defence to a Premier League victory and clean sheet at Carrow Road since captaining the side that beat Leicester City 1-0 in February 2020, pre-pandemic.

Ben Gibson (CB) - During two "disaster" years at Burnley, Gibson managed just six appearances, one red card and represented a £7m loss when the Clarets foisted him permanently upon Norwich last summer.

Brandon Williams (LB) - Injured during Norwich's last-gasp defeat to Leeds United on the eve of the international break, Williams returned to training ahead of the weekend.

2. Midfielders

Billy Gilmour (CM) - “If you love football then you love Billy Gilmour,” Smith's predecessor Daniel Farke insisted in October. Smith clearly likes the sport better than the departed German given his increased use of the midfielder.

Mathias Normann (CM) - The FC Rostov loanee hasn't been involved in a Premier League victory since November.

Kenny McLean (CM) - Gamely bounds around the pitch yet, like so many of his colleagues, McLean is painfully inefficient when applying pressure to the opponent in possession, watching him scamper away, untroubled, four out of five times.

3. Forwards

Jonathan Rowe (RW) - The 18-year-old has been bright and bubbly in his recent cameo appearances and, given the spate of injuries proliferated throughout the squad, may earn his first-ever Premier League start.

Teemu Pukki (ST) - Norwich's chief goal threat has scored in four home defeats already this season. No player in Premier League history has ever had that contrast of emotions more often in their own stadium in a single campaign.

Milot Rashica (LW) - Smith lined his side up in a diamond formation for the first time all season last weekend but may revert to a familiar 4-3-3 with Rashica shifted back out wide.

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