Both aiming to bridge the small gap to the playoff spots, Norwich City and Middlesbrough will lock horns at Carrow Road in a Championship clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Canaries have enjoyed back-to-back results on the road recently, whilst Boro managed a statement victory over a promotion rival on Teesside earlier in the week.
Match preview
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Since the narrow 1-0 defeat to Swansea City on September 14, Norwich City have strung together a six-game unbeaten run in the Championship, with Sunday's hosts back at Carrow Road after consecutive away stalemates at Stoke City and Preston North End following the international break.
Deepdale was the destination on Tuesday night for the Canaries, who fought valiantly from two goals down after 12 minutes to secure a share of the spoils on a chilly evening in Lancashire courtesy of efforts either side of the half-time whistle from Borja Sainz and Shane Duffy.
Notching up his eighth Championship goal already last time out, Spaniard Sainz has moved ahead of West Bromwich Albion's Josh Maja (7) in the early stages of the race for the Golden Boot, with the 23-year-old surpassing his goal tally across 35 second-tier matches during his debut campaign in England.
Aiming to extend their unbeaten streak to seven in the league on Sunday afternoon, the Canaries are currently occupying seventh position in the Championship table, only two points behind sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers and five back from Burnley in the automatic-promotion spots.
Johannes Hoff Thorup's troops are boasting a five-match unbeaten spell at their East Anglian base so far this season, with their most recent contest at Carrow Road resulting in a four-goal thrashing of a leaky Hull City outfit.
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After suffering back-to-back defeats in the Championship for the first time since February earlier in the month against Watford and Bristol City, Middlesbrough returned to winning ways in some style on Wednesday night, securing maximum points over promotion rivals Sheffield United.
Following a long period of domination in terms of possession for Boro, it was an out-of-form substitute who provided the game-sealing moment for the hosts at the Riverside, with Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Latte Lath bringing an end to his nine-match goal drought.
With three hard-fought points picked up earlier in the week, Michael Carrick's side moved up to eighth position in the Championship standings ahead of Sunday's tricky trip to East Anglia, level on points with the Canaries.
Middlesbrough will be looking to stretch their winning run versus Norwich in the Championship to five matches this weekend, with the North-East outfit 2-1 victors at Carrow Road last season courtesy of strikes from Sam Greenwood and Australia international Sammy Silvera.
Team News
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Norwich are expecting to be without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn for a few weeks due to a troublesome rib injury sustained in early October.
As a result, deputy George Long is set for an extended period in between the sticks for the Canaries, who have conceded three goals during their last two matches.
The hosts are also unable to call upon the talents of Marcelino Nunez, who is also out of action until the middle of November because of a hip complaint.
Middlesbrough's options at left-back are limited by the absence of Alex Bangura, who has not featured so far this season owing to an Achilles tendon issue.
Boro are further restricted in defence by the unavailability of Dael Fry, with the centre-back out of action due to a long-term leg injury.
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Long; Chrisene, Duffy, Cordoba, Doyle; Marcondes, McLean, Ben Slimane; Crnac, Sainz, Sargent
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Ayling, Van den Berg, Edmundson, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, McGree; Lath
We say: Norwich City 2-2 Middlesbrough
Following back-to-back away draws, Norwich will be keen to get back to winning ways in front of their East Anglia faithful on Sunday afternoon.
Middlesbrough will be full of confidence after conquering Sheffield United earlier in the week, and we feel that Boro should be good enough for a point at Carrow Road.
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Carter White
