Stoke City vs Norwich predictions: No stopping Thorup’s Canaries
arcis Pelach’s first month as Stoke head coach has yielded some mixed results as they prepare to welcome an improving Norwich to the Potteries on Saturday.
Spaniard Pelach succeeded Steven Schumacher in the Stoke hot-seat in September, but he has won only one of his first four games in charge, although that was a resounding 6-1 success against Portsmouth.
Pelach may look to Norwich counterpart Johannes Hoff Thorup for inspiration, as the Dane endured a slow start after taking over at the Canaries in the summer, but he now appears to be getting a tune out of his side following a four-match unbeaten run.
Stoke have no fresh injury concerns to contend with, although Bosun Lawal (back), Lynden Gooch (knee) and Ben Pearson (hamstring) are all expected to remain sidelined.
Norwich have doubts surrounding the fitness of goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who was forced off with a rib injury during the 4-0 win over Hull and missed the international break with Scotland as a result.
George Long should deputise if Gunn fails to prove his fitness, while Liam Gibbs (muscle), Onel Hernandez (leg), Jakob Sorensen (foot), Christian Fassnacht (Achilles) and Ashley Barnes (leg) all remain unavailable.
After losing his opening two matches in charge of Stoke, Pelach has taken four points from the last two games.
Norwich only won one of their opening five Championship matches of the season.
They have since collected three wins and a draw from their last four fixtures, including the 4-0 thrashing of Hull last time out.
The Canaries are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Stoke, winning five of those games.
They did the double over the Potters last season, following up a 1-0 home success with a 3-0 victory on their last visit to the Potteries in March.
Stoke’s last home victory over Norwich was a 3-1 Premier League success in January 2016.
While Stoke are still finding their feet under new boss Pelach, Norwich appear to be fully up to speed after a difficult start under Thorup and the Canaries can make it four wins from their last five games this weekend.
Norwich certainly enjoy facing Stoke, with their last defeat, home or away to the Potters, coming in 2018, while they dominated in every department during their 3-0 victory when the sides last met in March.
The visitors just feel a little further down the road in their development than Stoke and that should show on Saturday, with all three points expected to be heading back to Norfolk.
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