Newcastle United vs Norwich City

St James’ Park plays host to a Premier League basement showdown between rock-bottom Newcastle United and 19th-placed Norwich City.h

Though Norwich’s visit looks like a prime opportunity for Newcastle to record their first Premier League victory of the season (D6, L7), the visitors’ recent form speaks the opposite. The signs are ominous, as all three teams to have ever failed to win any of their opening 14 Premier League matches went on to suffer relegation. Yet, the ‘Magpies’ have avoided defeat in their last nine league meetings with Norwich at home (W7, D2) since a 2-0 loss in September 1988. Worryingly, though, the Tyneside strugglers have suffered six defeats in their last eight Premier League fixtures played over midweek (W1, D1). What’s more, their defensive frailties have seen them concede a staggering, league-high 29 goals this term and are the only Premier League side yet to keep a clean sheet to date.

In the meantime, the visitors seem to have picked themselves up from a dreadful start to the season that saw them go winless in their inaugural ten Premier League matches (D2, L8), racking up a three-game unbeaten run since (W2, D1). Adding to the confidence, the ‘Canaries’ have outplayed Newcastle in two of their last three top-flight H2Hs (D1), as many victories as they had in their previous ten in the competition (W2, D3, L5). A 2-0 triumph over the league newcomers Brentford in their most recent Premier League trip means Norwich could register back-to-back top-flight wins away from home for the first time since January 2012. New manager Dean Smith looks like a perfect candidate to lead Norwich to another success at St James’ Park, as he’s never lost a Premier League meeting with Newcastle as a manager (W3, D2).