PREVIEW: Norwich vs Sunderland - How to watch, stat pack and referee
Mike Dodd’s will be looking to get his first win of his second spell in interim charge this season, as Sunderland make the long trip down to Norfolk to take on Norwich City.
Last week wasn't a good start for Dodds, who presided over a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea.
On paper, this one looks like a much tougher test. Might that bring the best out of Sunderland, though?
The Opposition
Sunderland will be coming up against a Norwich side who are unbeaten in their last five matches and have won three of those five.
Two high scoring victories against Watford and Cardiff, where they scored four in each, shows they are quite a threat in attack.
The Gaffer
David Wagner made his return to England as a manager just over a year ago and his time at Norwich so far has been turbulent to say the least.
After a positive start to the 23/24 campaign, a drop off in from and a 6-2 defeat to Plymouth Argyle caused quite the frustration to the Norwich supporters.
However, a recent turn in form has got them believing again and Norwich are starting to look like strong contenders for the play-offs once again.
Wagner started his managerial career at Borussia Dortmund’s second team where he spent four years.
He took charge of Championship side Huddersfield Town in November 2015 and, one season later, he guided the Yorkshire side to the Premier League for the first time in their history.
After surviving the first season, second season syndrome hit the Terriers and saw them go back down to the Championship with Wagner leaving the club in the January of 2019.
He has since worked at Schalke and Swiss side Young Boys.
The Squad
The Norwich squad this weekend will feature a familiar face in Danny Batth, who joined the Canaries in the summer from Sunderland.
The Norwich squad also includes a few players with quite a bit of Premier League experience too, such as Ashley Barnes, Shane Duffy, Jack Stacey, Onel Hernandez and Angus Gunn.
Earlier this Season
When the two sides met back in October at the Stadium of light, Nottingham Forest loanee Hwang Ui-jo opened the scoring with a fine finish into the bottom corner of Patterson’s goal despite there being some controversy of Sara affecting the play from being in an offside position.
Sunderland didn’t let this affect them, though, and they got themselves back into the game.
Two quick goals from Trai Hume and Dan Neil saw the Black Cats ahead before half time. Jack Clarke finished the game off with a calmly taken penalty.
Who is the referee for Norwich vs Sunderland?
Unusually, the referee this weekend will be a referee with whom Sunderland have no history.
And, by no history, I don't just mean nothing controversial. I mean no history at all.
Thomas Kirk will be the referee and it will be his first time officiating Sunderland. It will also just be his fifth Championship game of the season with League One being his usual level.
Kirk will be assisted by Matthew Smith and Matthew McGrath and the Fourth Official is Daniel Middleton.
The Game in Numbers
3 – Sunderland have won all of their last three away trips to Norwich
80 – Norwich striker Josh Sargent is the most efficient striker in the Championship this season with a goal every 80 minutes.
504.4 - The amount of miles there and back to Norwich Sunderland fans will travel this weekend (providing they take the A17).
Norwich vs Sunderland Stat Pack
As per the EFL Website:
Norwich have lost their last three home league games against Sunderland – they had been unbeaten in their previous 10 at Carrow Road against the Black Cats (W7 D3).
Sunderland are looking to complete their first league double over Norwich City since the 1984-85 top-flight campaign.
Norwich City have won seven of their last nine home league games, including the last four in a row. The Canaries last won five in a row at Carrow Road in April 2019.
Sunderland have lost seven of their last 12 away league matches (W1 D4), including each of the last two. They haven’t lost more in a row since December 2019 (four).
Norwich have scored a direct free kick in each of their last two league games against Cardiff (Gabriel Sara) and Blackburn (Marcelino Núñez) – the last side to do so in three successive Championship games was Sheffield United in April 2008.
How to watch Norwich vs Sunderland
Due to the 3pm blackout restrictions, Norwich vs Sunderland will not be broadcast live in the UK.
For international users and those with a VPN though, it is available to stream on SAFC Live.