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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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George Smith

Michael Owen agrees with pundits on Man City vs Norwich prediction

Manchester City will be looking to extend their winning run in all competitions to three matches when they face relegation-threatened Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday teatime.

City, who have beaten the Canaries 5-0 in each of their last two meetings, took another step towards retaining their Premier League crown with a 2-0 win over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening, courtesy of goals from Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne.

After seeing their 12-game winning run in the league come to an end against Southampton prior to the recent winter break, it was the ideal response that manager Pep Guardiola would have been hoping for.

Now, City and Guardiola will fancy their chances of adding another three points to their ever-growing tally when they lock horns with the Canaries, who are currently camped inside the relegation places.

Although City will, rightfully so, be confident of amassing all three points in Norfolk, they will be aware that surprises are capable of being sprung, as proven by their 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road in September 2019.

But how do the pundits think City will get on against Dean Smith's side?

Mark Lawrenson - BBC Sport

"Norwich are unbeaten in three league games now and they have given themselves a chance of staying up, which did not look very likely at the turn of the year," Lawrenson told BBC Sport.

"But this is Manchester City they are up against here. Pep Guardiola's side are just relentless at the moment - nothing really changes and you just know they will find a way of winning this game even if they don't play particularly well."

Prediction: Norwich City 0-3 City.

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

"This is a Premier League game that Norwich just have to get out of the way," Merson told Sportskeeda. "That’s what tends to happen when you play Manchester City – you need to ride your luck.

"I like Riyad Mahrez, and I think he’s done well at the club. Man City’s wingers all do well at different times, and they have different types. If someone doesn’t perform, another will. That’s their great strength. Sterling, Foden, Grealish, Mahrez – at least one of them is always on top of his game.

"Pep Guardiola’s Man City team is a machine. It never struggles. The Premier League’s big teams often find a few opponents hard to break down, but you never have to worry about that with Man City. If they’re 2-0 down against Norwich inside the first 15 minutes, I’d still fancy a Manchester City victory here."

Prediction: Norwich City 0-3 City.

Michael Owen - BetVictor

"Norwich had a battling draw against Palace on Wednesday," Owen told BetVictor. "They're on their best run of form all season and although it's still an uphill task for them to stay up, they are giving themselves a chance.

"It was another comfortable win for City in midweek against Brentford. I'm sure Pep will want to keep winning and get this league wrapped up as early as possible, so they can concentrate on the Champions League.

"Norwich have scored 14 in the league, the fewest, City have conceded 14, also the fewest. A comfortable 3-0 City win here."

Prediction: Norwich City 0-3 City.

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