Emi Buendia set to make return to action as Norwich host Stoke

Stoke travel to Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon to face a Norwich side struggling for form as the Canaries slip down to second in the Championship after Brentford’s win during midweek.

Daniel Farke’s side are without a win in their last three league games, picking up just two points from their games against Millwall, Middlesbrough and crucially against promotion rivals Swansea.

The loss to Swansea meant the Norfolk side have now dropped down to second in the league, with Swansea breathing down the Canaries’ necks in third. Norwich will look to build momentum with a win against Stoke for easier fixtures later this month against four sides battling to stay up at the bottom of the table.

One reason for Norwich’s recent poor form has been the absence of star forward Emi Buendia. The winger has now served his two-match ban after picking up his second red card of the season against Middlesbrough and will be available for selection on Saturday as they look to end their three-game spell without a goal.

The visitors on Saturday have also been struggling for form of late, with the Potters still desperately hunting for their first win of 2021. Michael O’Neill knows that a win at the weekend will be anything but straightforward with the quality that the Norwich side has to offer.

The Stoke boss has promised not to underestimate their opponents even with their poor recent results, saying that:

‘They’ll be keen to get back to winning ways so it won’t make the task any easier for us. For me, when I look at the teams we’ve played this season, we’ve not played a team which is better than Norwich.”

The Stoke confidence will be boosted going into the game after the positive team news of returns to action for Nick Powell and James Chester, who returned to training this week after respective injuries.

Stoke’s goalmouth action has left much to be desired this season, with the long-term injury to Tyrese Campbell meaning that Stoke have been left to rely on Nick Powell and veteran striker Steven Fletcher for goals.

With Powell returning to the squad on Saturday, Stoke fans will be hoping that the 26-year-old will give them something to finally celebrate.

In the reverse fixture this season, Norwich edged past Stoke with Buendia picking up a goal, an assist and a red card in the game as the Canaries beat the Potters 3-2 at the Bet365 stadium. Will Emi Buendia return to the Norwich side to star again on Saturday or could Stoke cause an upset?

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