Liam Manning raised plenty of eyebrows at the end of last season when he left Bristol City, having just finished sixth in the table (albeit getting thrashed in the playoffs), to join a Norwich City side that had just finished mid-table under his predecessor Johannes Hoff Thorup, who was sacked in April.
However, after a poor start to the season, the club sits nineteenth in the table with Manning himself under extreme pressure, even more so now after a defeat in the East Anglian Derby against Ipswich Town, the first for over 16 years. The international break has come at a good time, however, as it would have allowed Manning to work on some things ahead of the next few weeks of action.
Recent Form
Norwich come into this fixture sitting nineteenth, only two points above the relegation zone, as the Canaries look to avoid being embroiled in a relegation scrap. On paper, the squad is way too good to be sitting that low at this point. Norwich haven’t won since a 2-0 victory away at Blackburn Rovers. That was in August. And with unconvincing displays in every game since then, it’s tough to see where any points come from.
On the other hand, Gerhard Struber’s Bristol side have hit a poor run of form amidst injuries, with their last victory coming away at Sheffield Wednesday back in September, where the Robins won 3-0 at Hillsborough. With an injury crisis in the middle of the park, it may be hard for them to pick up any form. They sit tenth in the table at the time of writing and will be looking to avoid drifting away from the play-off spots.
The table below is a summary of both sides’ last five league fixtures:
| Gameweek | Norwich City | Bristol City |
| 5 | Coventry City 1-1 Norwich City | Sheff Wed 0-3 Bristol City |
| 6 | Norwich 2-3 Wrexham | Bristol City 1-3 Oxford United |
| 7 | Stoke City 1-1 Norwich City | Preston NE 0-0 Bristol City |
| 8 | Norwich City 0-1 West Brom | Bristol City 1-1 Ipswich Town |
| 9 | Ipswich Town 3-1 Norwich City | Bristol City 1-2 QPR |
Last Time Out
Both sides suffered defeats last time out. Saturday’s hosts travelled to Portman Road to take on arch-rivals Ipswich Town just before the international break as they looked to preserve their long unbeaten run against the Tractor Boys. Cedric Kipre gave the Blues the lead in the 32nd minute, firing in from the edge of the six-yard box following a corner after an uneventful opening half an hour. It didn’t take long for the Canaries to respond after going behind, with promising 19-year-old Oscar Schwartau’s half-volley from the edge of the penalty area deflecting off a Town player and into the bottom corner.
It was time for Jaden Philogene to grab the headlines just before the half-time break, as he produced a stunning strike which proved too powerful for City goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic to put his side back ahead at half-time.
Jack Clarke sealed the victory with just under fifteen minutes to play, after Ivan Azon’s low strike hit the post, before the former Sunderland winger poked in the rebound to spark scenes of jubilation amongst the home support.
As for Saturday’s visitors, a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of QPR condemned them to a fourth winless game in a row. Emil Riis gave the Robins the lead on the day in the 32nd minute, heading in from close range following a cross from Neto Borges.
However, it wasn’t to be on the day, as strikes from Richard Kone and Paul Smyth gave the visitors all three points at Ashton Gate.
Head-to-head – Manning and his involvement
Norwich are winless in their last three games against the Robins, with their last victory against them coming at Ashton Gate in December 2023, as the Canaries came from behind to win 2-1 in what was Liam Manning’s first game against the team where he used to have a season ticket. Adam Idah scored deep in injury time, sparking scenes on the touchline amongst the Norwich City players and coaching staff. Last time out, the sides met at Ashton Gate, with Liam Manning leading his former side to a 2-1 victory. Other than that match in December 2023, Manning didn’t lose a single game against Norwich, as he won twice and drew the other time.
Injury news
Both sides have been plagued by injuries so far this season. Jose Cordoba has now joined the list of absentees for Liam Manning’s side after suffering a hamstring injury while away on international duty with Panama. Meanwhile, all of Shane Duffy, Mathias Kvistgaarden, Ben Chrisene, and Amankwah Forson are all nearing returns.
As for Gerhard Struber’s side, they are set to be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Max O’Leary. However, midfielders Max Bird, Jason Knight, Joe Williams, and Josh Stokes all remain sidelined, along with Cam Pring and Luke McNally.
Prediction
Bristol City may be plagued with injuries in the middle of the park, but they still possess quality in other areas of the pitch with the likes of Scott Twine, Anis Mehmeti, and Emil Riis still fit and available. The return of first-choice goalkeeper Max O’Leary is a boost too, and with Saturday’s hosts still without a point at home this season, coupled with toxicity around the club for numerous reasons, I can only see this going one way.
Dylan’s prediction: Norwich City 1-2 Bristol City
