Location: Carrow Road, Norwich | Kick offf 7:45pm
Southampton boss Will Still will be urging his side to bounce back as they head to Carrow Road for Tuesday’s EFL Cup second round tie against Norwich City.
Still, who arrived from Lens with much fanfare, made a strong start to life on the south coast — as Saints edged Wrexham 2-1 on the Championship’s opening day, then squeezed past Northampton in the EFL Cup first round. Since then, results have cooled. Southampton stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Ipswich before falling 2-1 at home to Stoke City, conceding either side of a red card for the visitors. Taylor Harwood-Bellis pulled one back late, but the Saints couldn’t avoid their first defeat under Still.
After suffering his first loss Still faces a real test of mettle. He’ll want a reaction, especially with Southampton hoping to reach the EFL Cup third round for the fourth time in five seasons. Recent history is on their side—four wins from seven meetings with Norwich, even if the last two finished all square. Should they be deadlocked again after 90 minutes, penalties will decide it.
Norwich, meanwhile, are also in the early throes of a new regime. Liam Manning’s first four games have been a rollercoaster: two wins, two losses, all by the same 2-1 scoreline. After starting the league campaign with defeat to Millwall, the Canaries regrouped with back-to-back away wins over Watford and Portsmouth. But Saturday brought another setback, a narrow loss to Middlesbrough despite Josh Sargent’s late goal.
Carrow Road hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the hosts so far—two home games, two defeats. Manning will be desperate to deliver a first home win and a spot in the third round, a feat Norwich have managed just twice in their last five attempts. Recent cup history isn’t kind, either: the Canaries have lost two of their last three second-round ties, including a bruising 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at this stage last season. Their record against Southampton is similarly bleak: just one win in their last eight competitive meetings.
Both sides are dealing with injury headaches. Southampton’s Welington is sidelined after being stretchered off at the weekend, while Adam Armstrong could miss out after picking up a back problem against Stoke. Changes are expected, with Alex McCarthy, Mads Roerslev, Ronnie Edwards, Ryan Manning, Damion Downs and Armstrong (if fit) all pushing for starts.
Norwich can’t call on midfielder Marcelino Nunez, who picked up an ankle injury against Portsmouth. Amankwah Forson, Gabriel Forsyth and Lucien Mahovo remain out, and Jacob Wright is suspended after his red card. Manning could shuffle his pack, with Kenny McLean back from injury and in contention for a recall.
With both managers looking to stamp their authority, and each side eager to find a spark after recent setbacks, expect a fiercely contested cup tie at Carrow Road. If recent history is anything to go by, there’s every chance we’ll need penalties to separate them.
Prediction – Norwich 2 -1
Norwich will fancy this at home and Saints still havent found the winning formula with injuries already mounting up
Best bet – Over 2.5 goals – £100 returns £172.50
