Norwich City v Hull City: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixture at Carrow Road

Nikica Jelavic has signed for Hull City from Everton for a reported £6.5m fee (GETTY IMAGES)

The curious thing about this fixture is that Norwich are perceived to be in a relegation scrap, whilst Hull sit comfortably in the top-half. The reality for both sides is that they are in the relegation fight together and this game could prove to be a six-pointer come the end of the season.

Although Hull are sitting pretty in tenth place, five positions ahead of the Canaries in the table, only three points separate the two sides. The nine teams ahead of Steve Bruce’s side appear to be breaking away from the pack, which will force the Tigers manager to look over his shoulder rather than further up the table.

To make sure of his side’s safety, Bruce has splashed around £6.5 million on Nikica Jelavic, smashing the club’s previous record fee paid for Tom Huddlestone. The Tigers have certainly been lacking goals up-front and Jelavic will be eager to replicate his early Everton form to stand a chance of making Croatia’s World Cup squad.

Bruce could also be adding Shane Long to his squad before the end of the January window, with an undisclosed fee agreed with West Brom.

Despite his strikers lacking goals of late, Hughton has decided not to invest in that area and has pin-pointed a lack of supply as the reason for their issues. He has brought in Jonas Gutierrez on-loan from Newcastle this week in an attempt to solve his creative problems and the Argentine is likely to start.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Hull 1 (Brady) Norwich 0, Premier League, August 2013

Hull 1 (Barmby) Norwich 1 (Whitbread), Championship, March 2011

Norwich 0 Hull 2 (Koren, Cairney), Championship, September 2010

STATS:

Norwich have failed to beat Hull in their last five attempts

Hull have only won once away in the Premier League this season

Norwich have been caught off-side the least in the Premier League – 25 times

ODDS:

Norwich to win: 2.25

Hull to win: 3.20

Draw: 3.30

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm