Premier League: Norwich and Tottenham look to recover from cup disappointment
Last Updated: January 30, 2013 9:33am
Chris Hughton: Will be looking for an improvement from his out-of-form Norwich side against Tottenham
Norwich and Tottenham will be looking to recover from their respective shock FA Cup exits when they meet at Carrow Road.
Luton's surprise 1-0 victory at Carrow Road on Saturday was the first time a non-league side had beaten top-flight opposition for 24 years and, coupled with their recent league form, boss Chris Hughton will be concerned.
Having turned his sides fortunes around after a slow start to the season, Hughton's side are currently without a win in their last six Premier League games, losing five in the process.
The visit of a top-four chasing Spurs side is not ideal timing. The Canaries have lost four of the last five meetings between the two sides in East Anglia, netting only one goal in the process.
Despite their disappointing defeat at Elland Road on Sunday, Spurs are in good league form ahead of their visit to Carrow Road.
With only one defeat in their last 11 Premier League outings, Andre Villas-Boas' side look as strong a contender as any for a UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
However, the loss against Sunday's Championship opponents, despite fielding a strong side, exposed their fragility, and Villas-Boas will be hoping to quickly put that aside, and build on their performance against league leaders Manchester United in their last Premier League encounter.
Norwich
Defender Sebastien Bassong has recovered from a calf injury and could make a return against his former club.
Steven Whittaker is fit again following a hip injury and was an unused substitute in Saturday's humiliating FA Cup reverse to non-League Luton, while Harry Kane, who started the 1-0 loss up front, is ineligible against his parent club.
Goalkeeper Lee Camp will be named in the squad, while Steve Morison could be available for the weekend match with QPR, but England goalkeeper John Ruddy remains out with a thigh problem.
Tottenham
Tottenham will have striker Jermain Defoe back from injury in time to travel to face Norwich after recovering from the pelvic injury that kept him out against Leeds on Sunday.
New signing Lewis Holtby is also in contention to make his debut with defender William Gallas fit after a calf problem.
Emmanuel Adebayor is still at the Africa Cup of Nations, Younes Kaboul and Sandro are both missing with knee injuries, and Tom Huddlestone will not be risked.
Opta facts
- Tottenham Hotspur have used a league-high 27 players already this season in the Premier League.
- Norwich have collected just one point from their last six Premier League games (L5 D1), fewer than any other side over this period.
- Only once in PL history have Tottenham had more points than their 41 after 23 games this season (49 points last season).
Previous game's starting line-ups
4-5-1
-
1
Ruddy
-
3
Whittaker
-
2
Martin R
-
24
Bennett R
-
18
Garrido
-
7
Snodgrass
-
4
Johnson B
-
8
Howson
-
12
Pilkington
-
14
Hoolahan
-
9
Holt
Team taken from Norwich vs Man City (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
4-2-3-1
-
25
Lloris
-
28
Walker
-
5
Vertonghen
-
20
Dawson
-
32
Assou-Ekotto
-
8
Parker
-
6
Huddlestone
-
7
Lennon
-
11
Bale
-
2
Dempsey
-
10
Adebayor
Team taken from Tottenham vs Sunderland (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
Latest Poll
Matches
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Barclays Premier League
Table
Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 38 | 89 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 38 | 78 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 75 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 38 | 73 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 72 |
| 6 | Everton | 38 | 63 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 38 | 61 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 49 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 38 | 46 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 38 | 46 |
| 11 | Norwich City | 38 | 44 |
| 12 | Fulham | 38 | 43 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 38 | 42 |
| 14 | Southampton | 38 | 41 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 38 | 41 |
| 16 | Newcastle United | 38 | 41 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 38 | 39 |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 38 | 36 |
| 19 | Reading | 38 | 28 |
| 20 | Queens Park Rangers | 38 | 25 |
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