Norwich City have their showpiece Carrow Road friendly of pre-season against Spanish side Osasuna on Saturday ahead of next week’s League Cup clash with MK Dons.
Philippe Clement may start to hand his frontline options more minutes in this game after sharing the load across the squad in the other friendlies that have been played over the last month or so.
Whilst starting line-ups in friendlies are not the be-all-end-all, the team that the Belgian picks may give supporters an idea of what he is thinking ahead of the Championship opener against West Bromwich Albion.
The goalkeeper and defence
Vladan Kovacevic: Norwich’s number one option between the sticks is Vladan Kovacevic and he should play the majority, if not all, of this match.
Jack Stacey: With Kellen Fisher currently out through injury, Jack Stacey should start this game and the opening Championship clash with the Baggies.
Ruairi McConville: Ruairi McConville, who Read Norwich gave a 7.5 rating for last season, may get the nod ahead of Harry Darling in the right-sided centre-back role.
Jose Cordoba: Clement’s preferred centre-back pairing emerged as McConville and Jose Cordoba in the 2025/26 campaign and they could reignite that partnership for this game against Osasuna.
Ben Chrisene: With no new signing in sight and Lucien Mahovo out through injury, Ben Chrisene should start as the only senior available left-back, whilst Vatan Ozcan could get some minutes off the bench.
The midfield
Kenny McLean: It should go without saying that the captain, Kenny McLean, will start in the middle of the park against West Brom in two weeks, which is why he should start the final warm-up match.
Pelle Mattsson: Whilst Jacob Wright has had an impressive pre-season, Pelle Mattsson and McLean should remain the first-choice pairing in midfield, which is why they should start this clash.
Paris Maghoma: Paris Maghoma could start in the number ten position for the Canaries, with the thought that Anis Ben Slimane could then start against MK Dons next weekend.
The attack
Andre Brooks: Norwich’s marquee signing of the summer, Andre Brooks, should start after being rested for the last two friendly matches. Supporters could get the chance to see him at Carrow Road for the first time.
Mathias Kvistgaarden: With Mohamed Toure only recently returning to training after the World Cup, Mathias Kvistgaarden could lead the line once again from the start, before the Australia international comes on in the second half.
Oscar Schwartau: Ali Ahmed and Papa Diallo may not be fully ready to play after recently returning to training, which is why Oscar Schwartau could start on the left flank in this match.
Full predicted XI: Kovacevic; Stacey, McConville, Cordoba, Chrisene; McLean (C), Mattsson; Brooks, Maghoma, Schwartau; Kvistgaarden
