2024-25 FA Cup: Third Round – Norwich vs Brighton

Norwich City meet Brighton & Hove Albion in a huge Third Round tie in 2024-25 FA Cup.  

Norwich look to advance beyond this round for the fifth time in six seasons, whilst Brighton seek to move into the fourth round for a fifth consecutive season.

 

Team News

Josh Sargent could return for Norwich following his recovery from a groin injury, which has kept him sidelined for over two months.

Borja Sainz however begins his six-match suspension after admitting to a charge of spitting at a Sunderland opponent during their Championship clash in December 2024.

Anis Ben Slimane (ankle), Liam Gibbs (hamstring), Gabriel Forsyth (knee) and Jacob Sorensen (calf) remain absent.

Brighton could welcome striker, Danny Welbeck back from an ankle injury which had sidelined him in recent weeks.

Igor Julio (thigh) and Joao Pedro (ankle) however are ruled out for this match.

Diego Gomez (fitness), Evan Ferguson (ankle), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Lewis Dunk (calf), Mats Wieffer (thigh), Jack Hinshelwood (knee) and James Milner (hamstring) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Norwich host Brighton at Carrow Road on Saturday 11 January at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Norwich have lost one of their last five FA Cup ties against Brighton (W3, D1, L1), during which their Second Round tie in 1957-58 season went to a replay which the Canaries won 2-1 away.
• Brighton have won one of their five previous FA Cup trips to Norwich (W1, D2, L2).
• Both teams have scored in five of their last six FA Cup ties, except for a 1-0 win to Brighton in March 1983 en-route to that season’s final.
• Norwich have won four of their last six FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition (W4, L2), although they needed penalties to beat Tottenham in Fifth Round of 2019-20 FA Cup after 1-1 draw.
• Brighton are unbeaten in their last seven FA Cup ties against lower-league opposition (W7), although they needed penalties to beat Newport at this stage in 2020-21 season after a 1-1 draw.

 

Prediction

Unbeaten in their last four games and having scored in their last six, Norwich certainly should smell a cupset if they show the same grit and quality which saw them snatch a late win over Coventry in their league game last weekend.

Brighton on the other hand are winless in their last eight games of which they were held to draws in six of those matches but this is a chance to target some silverware, of which I do expect them to take seriously with a strong line-up.

Carrow Road though is one of their FA Cup bogey grounds and with the Canaries in decent form, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is close but Brighton really should pull through even if need extra-time.

Prediction: Norwich 1-2 (AET) Brighton

Result: Norwich 0-4 Brighton