The Canaries have gone through a bit of a dry patch recently after dropping from the top of the table down to 4th place in recent weeks.
Norwich are without a win in their last two league games and were also knocked out of the EFL Cup in midweek on penalties to fellow Championship club Leeds United.
Alex Neil’s sole focus will be to secure a top two place and they need to cut out the mistakes, if they want to keep up with the chasing promotion pack.
It doesn’t get much easier for them, as they face a Brighton and Hove Albion side that are on a tremendous run in the league – winning six out of their last eight league games.
The Seagulls will be a tough match for the Canaries, and it is expected to be a tight affair. However, with the strength in depth in the Norwich City squad and a side that is desperate to return to their old ways, I expect Alex Neil’s side to snatch the three points.
Football League World Writer, Ashley Williams identifies the Norwich City side that will beat Brighton on Saturday…
GK – Michael McGovern
The Northern Ireland international goalkeeper has been a revelation since his move to Carrow Road in the summer and has certainly established himself as the club’s number one shot-stopper.
He was rested in the Canaries’ EFL Cup clash with Leeds, but he is expected to come back in for this vital affair with the Seagulls.
They could have lost by more in their 1-0 defeat to Preston with key stops from Jordan Hugill and two from Callum Robinson.
RB – Russell Martin
Since coming back into the side, Martin is still finding his feet after a lengthy time out with injury at the start of the season, which was not the best start to his term after an impressive pre-season.
He is an experienced figure that could prove vital in their important clash with Brighton.
CB – Ryan Bennett
One of Norwich’s most assured defenders, but hasn't looked the same defender compared to a few months as he did look frail in their cup clash and defeat to Preston.
He looked vulnerable in the opening quarter of the Preston clash and left Hugill unattended for his big chance.
CB – Timm Klose
The central defender was rested for Norwich’s midweek tie after taking a hefty old whack to the head last weekend.
He is expected to return to the defence, but Neil will want to see a more compact back-four.
If Norwich defend like they have over the past couple of weeks, they could be in for a rough afternoon.
LB – Martin Olsson
The full-back also looked off his game against the Lancashire club and looked tame when going forward last weekend, which was not like him at all.
Maybe he had an off-day, but when Olsson is at the top of his game, he could cause real problems on the attack.
Although he does need to be careful against a well organised Brighton side when going forward.
RW – Jacob Murphy
After a blistering start to the season, Murphy’s form seems to have worn off after a tame couple of games in the league.
He needs to get back to his old self if Norwich want to be among the top two come Christmas time.
With games coming thick and fast, Murphy needs to replicate his form at the start of the season.
CM – Wes Hoolahan
The Irish international has been the victim of the man-marked tactic from the opposition that hasn’t allowed him to express himself of late.
He will take that as a compliment, but he expected to given the same treatment from the Brighton faithful.
Despite being closely monitored, Hoolahan still has the capabilities to cause problems.
CM – Graham Dorrans
After going through a patch of confidence, it also seems to have worn off as his tempo last weekend looked slow and rigid.
Dorrans is technically an extremely gifted player and likes to make things happen, but he needs to put his game into the next gear, if he wants to continue as a regular in the starting eleven.
LW – Robbie Brady
Norwich City need to use Brady’s left foot to their advantage as he has the ability to whip in effortless deliveries that cause opposition defences problems regularly.
Once again, Brady has not looked the same player as we saw in the European Championships in France in the summer as he looked extremely uninterested against Preston North End.
ST – Steven Naismith
A player that on his day can cause any opposition defence’s severe problems, even in the Premier League.
However, he is not consistent enough and needs to show Alex Neil why he deserves to be in the squad week-in-week-out.
I feel that Naismith would form a good partnership up front with Jerome, and Neil needs to stop using the Scottish international as a winger.
ST – Cameron Jerome
Not scored in his last two Championship games, but he was the only player that looked dangerous when going forward last weekend.
He was denied by Chris Maxwell inside the opening minute, then the post with a rising angled shot after the break.
Norwich need a goal scorer, if they are going to get out of his league and Jerome needs to take on the responsibility as Norwich's main source for goals.
Norwich City fans… Is this the side to beat Brighton at the weekend? Can you climb back into the automatic promotion spots? Let us know in your thoughts and opinions below!