Canaries to right some wrongs after stormy afternoon in Shepherd’s Bush.

Three weeks ago, the Canaries suffered a resounding 3-0 loss at Loftus Road, and the game proved to be as

problematic after the fact as it was during. Angus Gunn was fined £4,500 for misbehaviour, and Kenny McLean

was suspended for his second four-match suspension of the season (this time for violent behaviour).

In the next four games, City lost twice, drew once, and won one.

As for QPR, since the start of the 2024–25 season, they have only won five of their 23 games. They have only lost

once in their past seven games, which was a 3-0 loss to Swansea City on Boxing Day. Three of those victories have

occurred in their last five games.

Four points behind City and six points above the relegation zone, QPR is now ranked 17th in the league. In

addition, the R’s have the second-most draws in the Championship this season (10), and the third-fewest goals in

the league (23).

Recalling that crushing loss from three weeks prior, the Canaries appeared to be lacking in attacking desire and

creativity. That outcome, meanwhile, may not have been an outlier for Norwich given their four subsequent games,

in which they have only triumphed once. If QPR is positioned similarly, it might serve as another reality check for

Johannes Hoff Thorup and his team.

However, Norwich has many happy memories of this matchup, having won 52 of the 113 games played between

them since their first encounter in 1910. In addition, the Canaries have only lost once in their last ten encounters

with the R’s, winning five and drawing the other four. That loss occurred three weeks ago.

Another youthful manager in the dugout for QPR is Marti Cifuentes, who has had a mixed record during his tenure

as the R’s manager. The 42-year-old has played in 59 games since his arrival in October 2023, winning 20,

drawing 19, and losing 20. From a statistical perspective, a draw on Sunday would be quite satisfactory.

 

However, Norwich would have eight wins, eight ties, and eight losses after 24 games if they were to win. As it

should be, everything is perfectly balanced.

And that pattern—three games, one victory, one draw, and one loss—is maintained by Cifuentes’ performance

versus Norwich. On Sunday, though, that needs to alter. Can his QPR team defeat the Canaries and get three

points for the second time in 22 days?

PREDICTED LINEUPS:

Norwich City (4-3-3): Gunn; Fisher, Duffy, Doyle, Chrisene; Slimane, Nunez, Marcondes; Schwartau, Crnac,

Sainz

Although midfielders Gabriel Forsyth and Liam Gibbs, as well as attacker Josh Sargent, are not anticipated to miss

any more games than January, City has three injury absences.

Kenny McLean is back after completing his four-game suspension, but Anis Ben Slimane, Marcelino Nunez, and

Emiliano Marcondes, who started against Millwall, might keep their spots in a midfield three.

Given Sargent’s absence, striker Ante Crnacis is expected to start, maybe with Oscar Schwartau and Borja Sainz on

either side.

Queens Park Rangers (4-2-3-1): Nardi; Dunne, Fox, Morrison, Paal; Field, Varane; Andersen, Morgan, Saito;

Kolli

Sam Field and Jonathan Varane might play in a double pivot since midfielder Karamoko Dembele is expected to

be sidelined until March.

Cifuentes is expected to play Lucas Andersen, Kieran Morgan, and Koki Saito behind forward Rayan Kolli, who

scored a brace in the 3-0 victory three weeks ago. Winger Paul Smyth and striker Zan Celar may make their injury

comeback in January, but neither is available for selection on Sunday.

Since Steve Cook won’t return from a foot injury until February, center-backs Morgan Fox and Liam Morrison will

most likely start.

However, what is your prediction for the Canaries’ performance at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon?

Will they fail to meet expectations against the London team once more, suffering their second loss in 22 days?

Or can Thorup lead his team to consecutive Championship victories for the first time since November 30th?

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