The final game of this three-game match week sees the high-flying Norwich City taking on a strong Middlesbrough, with both sides eyeing a potential push into the play-off positions dependent on Saturday's results.
Johannes Hoff Thorup's Canaries can secure a calendar year unbeaten at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon, as long as his injury-stricken side can hold off Michael Carrick's strong but inconsistent Boro.
Recording two wins and three draws in the last five fixtures, injuries to key figures in the squad, most notably a rib injury suffered by first-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn, could benefit Boro, with backup shot-stopper George Long proving inconsistent in his three outings so far this season.
Despite the growing list of players in the treatment room, strong showcases from individual players, such as Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle and Spanish forward Borja Sainz, are proving pivotal in continuing this good run of form, with the NR1-based side aiming for a return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
Carrick's side head to Norfolk with three wins and two losses in their last five matches, including a 1-0 win at home against automatic promotion favourites Sheffield United, courtesy of a fine finish from star striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. Boro have fallen victim to some surprise results this season, including a recent 2-0 defeat to Bristol City at their home ground, the Riverside Stadium.
With the visitors boasting four wins in their last five clashes with the Canaries, Carrick's side will be hoping to increase that run, with the most recent clash between the two sides ending in a 2-1 defeat for Norwich, courtesy of former players Sam Greenwood and Sammy Silvera, with the former currently honing his craft at Preston on loan from Daniel Farke's Leeds United, and the latter on loan from Boro to bottom of the table Portsmouth.
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Team news
As mentioned, the hosts will be without Scotland international goalkeeper Gunn due to a rib injury sustained against Leeds, with Long deputising for the foreseeable future.
Key midfielder Marcelino Nunez will also be unavailable after upsetting a hip injury against Stoke City last weekend. Potential replacements include Sheffield United loanee Anis Ben Slimane and Danish wonderkid Oscar Schwartau.
Middlesbrough are suffering with a shortage of left-backs, with regular player Alex Bangura out with an Achilles tendon issue.
Key centre-back Dael Fry is also out with a leg issue, with Carrick likely to utilise 20-year-old Rav van den Berg in Fry's place.
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Likely lineups
Norwich City - Long; Fisher, Duffy, Cordoba, Doyle; Schwartau, McLean, Ben Slimane; Crnac, Sainz; Sargent (Likely formation: 4-2-3-1).
Middlesbrough - Dieng; Ayling, van den Burg, Edmunson, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Doak, Azaz, McGree; Lath (likely formation: 4-2-3-1).
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Key players
Norwich City - Josh Sargent
The 24-year-old American forward has shone for Norwich in the last two seasons, with his impressive performances attracting the interest of Premier League outfit Brentford and MLS giants Cincinnati FC.
Sargent has managed to score in 14 of his last 17 home appearances for the Canaries, and his 14 home goals in 2024 are the most by a Norwich player since Robert Earnshaw in 2006.
Scoring four goals and assisting five this season in 11 appearances, alongside recording an average FotMob score of 7.41, the American will be the bookies favourite to score in this fixture, and with support from Spanish winger Borja Sainz, it would seem likely that the striker will add to his tally of goals, in the chase to catch up to the Golden Boot frontrunners.
Middlesbrough - Emmanuel Latte Lath
Despite having a quieter start to this season than last, Latte Lath proved to be the crucial decider against the Blades in midweek action, with his goal proving to be the decider for Boro to take all three points.
Recording two goals in 11 appearances so far this season, Lath has struggled to get back into the autonomous goalscoring pattern we saw at the backend of last season. But with a big win against strong opposition under their belt, the Ivorian striker will be hopeful of adding to his goalscoring tally against the Canaries.
Recording an average FotMob rating of 6.87, the forward ranks in the top 15% for goals this season, and in the top 50% for chances created. Norwich may prove to be a tough challenge for Boro, but Lath will surely fancy his chances to add to his tally.
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Match details
Where is the game being played?
The game is being played at Carrow Road, home of the Canaries and based in the historic city of Norwich, Norfolk.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 15:00 GMT on Sunday, October 27.
Will the game be televised?
The game will be featured on Sky Sports +, and fans will be able to catch highlights of the fixture on official club channels within 24 hours of the final whistle.
