MATCH PREVIEW: NORWICH CITY

A look ahead to our trip to Carrow Road

Norwich City v Cardiff City
Venue: Carrow Road
Date: Saturday, 26th October, KO 3pm
Match-tag:#NORCAR (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
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City travel to face Chris Hughton’s Norwich City at Carrow Road as Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay returns to face the club where he gained promotion as a player in 2003-04.

MATCH FACTS

- This will be the first competitive meeting between the Norwich City and Cardiff City in the top flight.
- Joe Lewis, David Marshall and Craig Bellamy will all be making a return to face their former club.
- Should he score against his former side, Craig Bellamy will become the first player in the history of the Barclays Premier League to score for seven different clubs in the competition.
- Norwich City have lost four of their last five Premier League games and have netted just three times during this run.
- The Canaries have lost two successive home games in the league – they have not lost three in a row at home in league competition since February 2006.

KEY PLAYER: Leroy Fer



Having arrived from Dutch side FC Twente in the summer, Leroy Fer has brought an extra midfield drive to the Canaries’ engine room so far this season.

A prime example of a box-to-box midfielder, Fer has linked up well with Chris Hughton’s creative spark Jonny Howson, a partnership that has also enhanced the performances of the former Leeds man. Now a regular feature in the midfield, the Dutch International can also provide a lethal finish if given the opportunity.

IN-FORM PLAYER: Jonny Howson



A midfielder with undoubted talent and ability, Howson is enjoying his most consistent run of form in the top flight since arriving at Carrow Road in January 2012.

Continuing the good form he showed towards the end of last season’s Premier League campaign, Howson is currently the Canaries’ top scorer this season. Thriving in a partnership with Dutch International Leroy Fer, Howson is enjoying a more advanced role in the Canaries’ midfield that has seen him net the winner against Stoke in September, also scoring against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last time out.

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Norwich City: LLWWLL
Last time out – Arsenal 4-1 Norwich City – Saturday, 19th October, Barclays Premier League.



Arsenal's record-signing Mesut Ozil scored twice as Norwich City failed to stop the Gunners' superb run of form.  An outstanding team goal from the Gunners saw Jack Wilshere fire Arsenal in front before Ozil doubled their advantage.

Jonny Howson responded for Norwich in the second-half to spark hopes of a comeback, however, substitute and former Bluebird Aaron Ramsey was influential in eventually earning the league leaders the points, scoring an excellent individual effort before laying off to Ozil for Arsenal's fourth.

Team – Norwich City: Ruddy; Martin, Turner, Bassong (c), Olsson; Tettey (Hoolahan 78), Fer, Howson; Snodgrass, Pilkington (Redmond 70), Hooper. Subs not used: Bunn (GK), Whittaker, Johnson, Becchio, R Bennett.

Cardiff City:  DLLWLL
Last time out – Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City – Saturday, 19th October, Barclays Premier League.



Cardiff City were consigned to a 4-1 defeat despite taking the lead in a determined performance against Premier League challengers Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Jordon Mutch gave the Bluebirds a deserved early lead at the bridge, before a controversial equaliser from Eden Hazard, that saw Samuel Eto’o dispossess David Marshall as he bounced the ball, brought Chelsea level before the break. Second-half goals from Oscar, Eto’o and a second from Hazard made the victory look comprehensive for the home side.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall; Taylor, Caulker (C), Turner, Whittingham, Medel (Kim 56), Odemwingie (Campbell 67), Gunnarsson (Gestede 80), Mutch, Cowie, Theophile-Catherine. Subs not used: Lewis, Hudson, Noone, Maynard.

LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:
2010-11 Championship, Saturday 15th January 2011 – Norwich City 1-1 Cardiff City



An early goal from debutant striker Jon Parkin put the Bluebirds ahead against promotion rivals Norwich City at Carrow Road, smashing home his volley from a Michael Chopra lay-off.

The Bluebirds were to be denied all three points however as a last gasp effort from Norwich right-back Russell Martin claimed an important point for the home side.

Cardiff line-up: Heaton, Naylor, Quinn, McNaughton, Hudson, Whittingham, Olofinjana, McPhail (Burke, 74), Bellamy, Chopra, Parkin. Subs not used: Blake, Marshall, Drinkwater, Keogh, Gyepes, Rae.

REFEREE: Mike Jones

Mike Jones plied his trade as a Football League referee for 11 years before he was added to the Select Group in 2008 and began officiating in the Premier League.

Jones, who made his refereeing debut in August 1997 when Mansfield Town played host to Hull City, regularly officiated in the Football League during his tenure.

Jones was in the middle for a Premier League match for the first time when Hull City took on Wigan Athletic in August 2008. He has been a permanent fixture in the top flight ever since.

Jones last officiated a Cardiff City game in August 2012. The Bluebirds were 4-2 victors away to Bristol City on that occasion.