The penultimate Premier League weekend gets underway with two teams that also play in midweek, as Norwich City invite Manchester United to Carrow Road. The Canaries are in the midst of three successive defeats and rest two points clear of the relegation berths, while the Red Devils are still clinging onto their Champions League aspirations.
Despite ranking seventh for attempts (57) and ninth for shots on target (18) across their previous four matches, Norwich mustered just three goals, registering the fourth-worst shot-conversion rate (5.3%). At the other end of the pitch, Alex Neil’s men conceded the joint-fifth-most goals (seven) and managed zero clean sheets. Investors in Man United’s attack will draw encouragement from the fact that only Aston Villa have surrendered more big chances in home matches than Norwich (41 compared to 32).
The Red Devils flattered to deceive on the attacking front in their last four outings, charting in the bottom half for goals (four), shots inside the box (29) and big chances (four). Moreover, in away ties they rank fourth-bottom for attempts (164) and shots inside the box (95). From a defensive standpoint, Louis Van Gaal’s troops have been less impressive on their travels, conceding 23 goals while recording just five of their 17 shut-outs.
