Norwich City travel to Bournemouth after the Cherries finally got their man when they re-signed Lewis Grabban.
Grabban’s return, coupled with the £10m signing of Benik Afobe and the loan arrival of Juan Iturbe from Roma mean that the hosts have dramatically increased the strength of their squad. Much will depend on how quickly the new boys adjust but they are certainly an improved side now.
To quote my mother, ‘They’re throwing their money around like a man with no arms.’
It’s a bit early to be talking about ‘must win’ games but I would go so far as to say that neither side will want to lose it. Just two points separate the teams going into the weekend and a win for Norwich would take them five points clear of Bournemouth.
Vital Quotes:
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: ‘All three of our new players [Benik Afobe, Lewis Grabban and Juan Iturbe] are really good characters.
‘It’s nice to have done early business but it’s all relative. We’re trying to ensure we have enough strength in depth.
‘The squad looks in better shape now, I believe. We’ve got players that can really make a difference.’
Norwich manager Alex Neil: ‘I don’t think it’s any surprise that Bournemouth have invested heavily in the squad. If they’ve got the money, it’s up to them.
‘It’s a crucial game for us, as it is for Bournemouth.
‘If we win, we extend our lead over them to five points but it won’t be the deciding factor. There’s a long way to go.’
Bournemouth Team News:
Matt Richie is a doubt as he recovers from a dead leg and could be replaced by Juan Iturbe who awaits his first Bournemouth start. Lewis Grabban is the intriguing one, with Eddie Howe saying on Friday he isn’t sure if he’ll be involved as he hasn’t played much football this season.
Player to watch: Benik Afobe
Reading between the lines of what Howe has said about Grabban, I’m guessing he’ll start on the bench. Afobe is match fit and raring to go. He was of course a target for City in the summer.
Norwich City Team News:
Matt Jarvis is fit again and could start. He made his debut for City against the Cherries in September and scored a memorable goal. Gary O’Neil is suspended for three matches after his red card at Stoke.
Player to watch: Wes Hoolahan
Wes gave a virtuoso performance against the Cherries at Carrow Road, scoring one and making one in a man of the match performance. I’m hoping for a repeat.
Match Facts & Stats
Bournemouth have not beaten Norwich in six attempts since October 1959, when they won 3-2 at Carrow Road in a Division Three game.
Norwich have won their last two games away at Bournemouth in all competitions by a 2-1 score line after conceding the first goal.
Eddie Howe’s side have only won one of their last seven home matches in the Premier League (D3, L3).
Norwich are the only side yet to keep a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season and have conceded 25 times on the road – only Sunderland, with 30, have a worse record.
Match Prediction:
Will Lewis ‘The Sulk’ Grabban get to make an appearance? He was roundly booed when he went back to the Vitality last season in a Norwich shirt but couldn’t wait to do a bunk from Carrow Road.
It will be very interesting to see what happens if he plays at any point and how hard he tries.
Next Fixtures:
Next up for the Canaries is a lunchtime game on BT Sport at Carrow Road against Liverpool, next Saturday.
Doesn’t get any easier, does it?
