manuel pellegrini
Manuel Pellegrini won the 2014 English Premier League title with Manchester City Getty

Norwich City host Manchester City in the English Premier League on 12 March at Carrow Road in what is a must-win clash for both the teams.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is scheduled for 12.45pm GMT. Live coverage of the game in UK is available on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD. Live commentary of the game is available on BBC Radio 5. Highlights of the game will be shown on Match of the Day on BBC1 at 10.20pm GMT.

Overview

In what is a very important game for both the sides, struggling Norwich City host Manchester City at Carrow Road on Saturday. The Canaries are in dire straits, lodged in a relegation fight, currently on 18<sup>th place in the table with just 24 points so far. Alex Neil's side have taken just one point from their last nine Premier League matches, their worst run since 1946.

They have struggled to defend, keeping just three clean sheets all season, a joint-low with Sunderland, also shipping 54 goals in 29 games — a record that is only better than basement side Aston Villa.

Robbie Brady, Steven Naismith, Sebastien Bassong and Andre Wisdom might return to the Norwich side for this clash, however, Alex Tettey is out for the rest of the season.

Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is a key player for Manchester City Getty

Manchester City come into this game on the back of a much needed 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, however, doubts still remain, with many questioning if Manuel Pellegrini's men can win their third Premier League title in four years. City have been impressive against sides in the lower half of the table registering 41 out of a possible 45 points, conceding only six goals in the process.

Despite the midweek fixture against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League and the Manchester Derby looming, they are expected to go in with a full strength squad for this clash. However, they will be without Yaya Toure who is out due to a recurrence of a heel injury.

What managers say

Alex Neil: "I don't think anybody could say about my players that they are not trying or that they are giving up. In the last few games these guys are losing teeth and getting gashed heads and everything, and they keep going and they keep trying."

Manuel Pellegrini: "We cannot have the same points as Tottenham or Leicester if they win all their games. But if they win the title (we need to make sure) it's because they win all their games and not because we couldn't win ours."

"We'll focus on trying to win at Norwich and we'll see the way other teams manage the pressure between now and the end of the season. The most important thing is that we don't have margin of error. We need to win our games."

Betting odds (betfair)

  • Norwich City to win: 11/2
  • Draw: 3
  • Manchester City to win: 8/15

Form guide

Norwich City

Last five: LDLLL

Manchester City

Last five: LWWLW

Team news

Norwich City

Possible XI: Ruddy, Pinto, Klose, Martin, Bennett, Brady, Howson, Dorrans, Redmond, Naismith, Bamford

Manchester City

Possible XI: Hart, Kompany, Otamendi, Sagna, Clichy, Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Navas, Fernando, Fernandinho

Premier League