Norwich boss Dean Smith sets challenge for his players ahead of Man City fixture

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Norwich City head coach Dean Smith believes his side will require a "bit of fortune" to go their way if they are to get the better of Manchester City at Carrow Road on Saturday teatime.

City, who have won each of their last two meetings with the Canaries 5-0, will be looking to take another giant stride towards retaining their Premier League crown after getting another three points on the board with a 2-0 win over Brentford in midweek.

Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League outings and find themselves nine points clear at the top of the table, highlighting the size of the challenge that Norwich will have to overcome, as they look to strengthen their chances of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.

Whilst Smith, who replaced Daniel Farke back in November, is acutely aware of the size of the task his players will face, he believes the visit of City will represent an opportunity for his side to make a name for themselves and upset the apple cart. "I am not going to anger Pep again by suggesting they are the best team in the world, but they are certainly up there," Smith said. "They are a very good team, littered with stars all over the place and, whatever team they put out, you know it is going to be a challenge. "But there is an opportunity for players as well – all players want to pit themselves against the best. "Hopefully you can then go and get the right performance, then have a bit of fortune go our way as well." Although Norwich will enter Saturday's teatime kick-off as overwhelming underdogs, they have turned a corner in recent weeks and enjoyed an encouraging start to 2022.