Sheffield United versus Norwich City: The stats and a little known fact

The Star’s James Shield reveals the facts, figures and an little known piece of information as Sheffield United, eighth in the Premier League table, prepare to face 20th placed Norwich City at Bramall Lane
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The Probable Teams: United - Dean Henderson, Chris Basham, John Egan, Jack O’Connell, Enda Stevens, George Baldock, Oliver Norwood, John Fleck, Sander Berge, Billy Sharp, Oli McBurnie. Norwich - Tim Krul, Jamal Lewis, Grant Hanley, Max Aarons, Ben Godfrey, Alex Tettey, Todd Cantwell, Ondrej Duda, Kenny McLean, Emi Buendia, Teemu Pukki

The Referee: Simon Hooper, from Wiltshire, took charge of United’s 2-1 win at Carrow Road earlier this term. He sent-off Chris Basham towards the end of that match but the decision was overturned, following the defender’s tackle on Kenny McLean, was overturned following a VAR review. Lee Mason will be overseeing this match at Stockley Park while Derek Eaton and Mark Scholes are scheduled to assist the 37-year-old Hooper. Michael Salisbury is set to be the fourth official.

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The Opposition Manager: Aged 43, Daniel Farke took charge of Norwich in 2017, having previously coached Borussia Dortmund’s reserve side. He began his managerial career with SV Lippstadt, the club where he spent the majority of his time as a player, leading them from the sixth to the fourth tier of German football. Farke is a supporter of Bayer Leverkusen; who loaned Panos Retsos to United in January.

The Last Time: Goals from Enda Stevens and George Baldock, who had earlier provided the assist for his team mate’s strike, saw United come from behind to win December’s game in Norfolk. Alex Tettey gave Norwich the lead midway through the first-half. In the second, Basham saw red for a challenge on McLean but the card was downgraded to a yellow by VAR.

The Form Book: Previously without a win in three outings, Norwich have won their last two outings although Tuesday’s FA Cup victory over Spurs came following a penalty shoot-out. The visitors remained in the relegation zone despite beating Leicester City in their previous Premier League fixture. United are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions, following their midweek cup success at Reading.

The History Lesson: This will be the 73rd meeting between these two clubs, with United winning 25 of those matches compared to Norwich’s total of 29 victories. The first of those games took place in 1934, when United were beaten 3-1 at The Nest, just before their opponents moved to their present stadium. However City have failed to beat United in any of their last four games.

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The Visitors’ Key Player: Teemu Pukki has scored more goals but Todd Cantwell brings an x-factor and unpredictability to Norwich’s work. The 22-year-old, who progressed through Carrow Road’s youth system, made his debut for Farke’s side in 2018, during an FA Cup tie with Chelsea before being loaned to German club Fortuna Sittard later that month.

After losing at Carrow Road earlier this term, Norwich City now face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.After losing at Carrow Road earlier this term, Norwich City now face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.
After losing at Carrow Road earlier this term, Norwich City now face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

The Fact You Might Not Know: Norwich’s club anthem “On the Ball, City” is reputedly the world’s oldest football chant, written in 1890, and predates the club itself having previously been sung by followers of teams including Norwich Teachers, Caley’s FC and Norwich Church of England Young Men’s Society, who now play in the Anglian Combination Premier Division.