7M - Club Friendlies Preview: Norwich City vs Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship outfit Norwich City continue their preparations for the upcoming season this Saturday afternoon as they welcome League Two side Colchester United to Carrow Road.

Match Preview

Norwich City enter this fixture following a ninth-place finish in the Championship last season, narrowly missing out on the promotion playoffs by just eight points. Manager Philippe Clement is aiming to guide the Canaries back to the top flight this time around, and the club has already been proactive in the transfer market to bolster their chances. Notable additions include defender Bruno Alves, midfielder Sam Field, and winger Andre Brooks, while club captain Kenny McLean has committed his future to the team by signing a new contract. Norwich opened their pre-season schedule with a solid 2-0 victory against King's Lynn Town in a behind-closed-doors match last Saturday, featuring goals from youngsters Luke Towler and Dylan Jones. They will look to sustain that winning feeling against a side they famously defeated 5-0 in their last competitive meeting back in 2010.

Colchester United are likewise setting their sights on a promotion campaign after finishing 12 points adrift of the League Two playoff spots last term. Manager Danny Cowley is aiming to spearhead a return to League One, a division the U's have not competed in since the 2015-16 season. To support this ambition, the squad has been reinforced with the arrivals of Sean Raggett, Jake Leake, and Paul Digby. However, Colchester must adapt to the significant loss of winger Kyreece Lisbie, who joined Reading after netting 11 league goals last season. The departures of Arthur Read to York City and Owura Edwards to Peterborough United have also thinned their options, though the club managed to secure key contract renewals for Jack Payne, Ellis Iandolo, and Teddy Bishop to maintain squad core stability.

Team News

Norwich City will operate without several key players due to ongoing international commitments. Kenny McLean, Ali Ahmed, Mohamed Toure, Anis Ben Slimane, and Jose Cordoba are all unavailable due to their participation in the World Cup. Consequently, head coach Philippe Clement will continue to lean on the club's emerging talent. Following his goal against King's Lynn Town, young forward Dylan Jones could lead the line, supported by Paris Maghoma and Botan Ameen on the wings.

Colchester United are expected to give a debut to summer signing Sean Raggett in central defense alongside Jack Tucker, with full-backs Kane Vincent-Young and Ellis Iandolo completing the backline. Last season's top performer Jack Payne is poised to occupy the creative number 10 role, pulling the strings just behind central striker Samson Tovide.

Possible Lineups

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Kovacevic; Stacey, Darling, Medic, Mahovo; Field, Mattson; Maghoma, Schwartau, Ameen; Jones

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Smith; Vincent-Young, Tucker, Raggett, Iandolo; Perry, Bishop; Anderson, Payne, Akande; Tovide

Prediction: Norwich City 2-0 Colchester United

Norwich City boast superior squad depth and possess a competitive edge, having already tested themselves in a pre-season friendly last weekend. With Colchester United taking to the pitch for the first time this summer, the Championship hosts should have enough quality to control proceedings and secure a comfortable victory.