Premier League new boys Norwich City will be looking to cause an upset on opening night at Carrow Road against expected top four contenders Liverpool.
From bouncing back to the big time, after what was known as their worst season in the Premier League - in terms of the club's points tally. Norwich aims to be more competitive than they were 2 seasons ago.
Norwich head coach Daniel Farke has a difficult choice to make for his starting XI, with most of his players having to self-isolate due to Covid-19 protocols, which has unfortunately disrupted their pre-season campaign.
Farke has tried various formations during pre-season, and it's looking as if he aims to play a back 3 against the top 6 sides to keep his team tight at the back.
Here is VAVEL'S predicted Norwich City's starting line-up:
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Goalkeeper - Tim Krul
Arguably one of the first names on the team sheet.
Tim Krul was a standout performer behind the sticks in a disappointing Premier League campaign in the 2019/2020 season, continuing his form into Norwich's impressive 97 points tally title-winning side in the 2020/2021 EFL Championship season lifting the trophy.
Although City signed Goalkeeper Angus Gunn on a permanent from Southampton, Krul will look to be a crucial figure on and off the pitch for the upcoming fight for top-flight survival.
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Right wing-back - Max Aarons
Max Aarons is pivotal to the way Farke likes to play his style of football. Pushing his full-backs up the pitch to provide the width and create pockets of space for the attacking three behind Teemu Pukki.
Aarons was too many EFL fans seamlessly out of place in the league and is proving that he is ready for the top flight once again.
Aarons has already come up against Sadio Mane twice, so he'll know what to expect but that doesn't make things easier for him, a tough task.
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Centre back - Ben Gibson
Pivotal in Norwich's title-winning campaign at the back, Ben Gibson looks to be available for selection once again after he had undergone ankle surgery back in March.
With a lack of a centre back option brought through the building, Gibson will look to prove doubters wrong given his relegation at Middlesborough and difficult spell at Burnley.
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Centre back - Grant Hanley
Captain, leader, Scotsman. Without any minutes of pre-season, Grant Hanley is at a race against time to be match fit.
Given a lack of centre back options, Farke will trust Hanley to battle it out against Liverpool to get his team over the line.
Always can rely on Hanley with his marauding Scottish vocals, always enjoys a scrap and most importantly but also somewhat surprisingly very quick for his stature.
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Centre back - Andrew Omobamidele
Only 19 years of age, The Republic of Ireland international looks set to be handed his Premier League debut.
Norwich has been impressed with Andrew Omobamidele's progress at such a young age and looks to have Farke's trust ahead of a difficult start.
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Left wing-back - Dimitris Giannoulis
Greek international, signed from POAK this season on a permanent. Dimitris Giannoulis will be Farke's first-choice left-back/wing-back after his impressive performances in the EFL Championship, looking set to hit the Premier League by storm.
Most likely up against Mohamed Salah, he'll have to be switched on, so Salah doesn't sneak in behind him.
Welcome to the Premier League Giannoulis.
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Central midfielder - Billy Gilmour
Very exciting young talent on loan from Chelsea in Scotland international Billy Gilmour. One to keep an eye on this season in the heart of City's midfield.
Standout in the England vs Scotland fixture which ended 0-0 back in June. Having had plenty of admirers in the Premier League, Gilmour chose Norwich to play under Daniel Farke's style of football.
Gilmour will need to hit the ground running quickly, so there's no tougher task than Liverpool to test the young lad.
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Central midfielder - Pierre Lees-Melou
The exciting summer signing from Ligue 1 side OGC-Nice. Pierre Lees-Melou looks to have an eye for goal scoring a screamer in a pre-season friendly against league one side Gillingham.
Lees-Melou was the OGC-Nice captain and has all the credentials to be a solid Premier League operator with his tenacity, eye for a pass and long-shot goals with his right peg.
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Attacking left midfielder - Todd Cantwell
Norwich's danger man. A massive hole has been left in the squad with Emiliano Buendia joining Aston Villa for a club-record sale of £38 million.
In pre-season, Todd Cantwell seems possessed - determined to be Norwich's main attacking threat, with his swagger on and off the pitch.
Cantwell's confidence could be the key to unlocking Liverpool's defence.
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Attacking right midfielder - Milot Rashica
Emiliano Buendia's replacement? Perhaps not, but the Kosovo summer signing Milot Rashica from relegated Bundesliga side Werder Bremen looks to excite Norwich fans with his blistering speed, directness and a rocket of a shot.
Rashica has scored goals against top Bundesliga sides in Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Norwich will plan to hit Liverpool on the counter-attack and with Rashica's pace, it could potentially cause a lot of problems for the opposition.
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Striker - Teemu Pukki
Norwich's everlasting frontman, who never seems to disappoint. The Finish international with ice in his veins whenever he gets his chance to hit the back of the net.
Farke will always trust Teemu Pukki, struggling for match fitness, however, it seems the number 22 will lead the line as Adam Idah isn't ready for a start and new summer signing Josh Sargent looks to only make the bench.
However, rest assured Farke may surprise everyone with his team selection.