Norwich City welcome MK Dons to Carrow Road in the League Cup for their first competitive match of the 2026/27 campaign on Saturday afternoon.
For the first time since the 2020/21 season, the Canaries are kicking off their campaign with a League Cup match, which makes the team selection for this game all the more interesting.
The starting line-up picked by Philippe Clement could give an indication of his thoughts for the Championship opener against West Bromwich Albion the following weekend, based on who does and does not play.
The goalkeeper and defence
GK: Dan Grimshaw
Clement may go with his second-choice shot-stopper, Dan Grimshaw, for this game after the Englishman started every available cup game in the 2025/26 campaign, keeping Vladan Kovacevic fresh for the West Brom clash.
RB: Jake Glossop
With Kellen Fisher out through injury, Jack Stacey may not be risked for this cup match. Liam Gibbs would be the obvious alternative after he played there last season, but he is now needed as depth out wide after Ali Ahmed’s injury.
That means that the door could open for teenage academy star Jake Glossop, who started at right-back in the last friendly against Cambridge on Tuesday, to make his senior bow for the club at right-back in this match.
RCB: Ruairi McConville
After Harry Darling and Jose Cordoba started against Osasuna last weekend, Ruairi McConville may currently be third-choice in the pecking order at centre-back and could start this to allow the other two to rest.
LCB: Bruno Alves
Clement could hand a debut to summer signing Bruno Alves in the left centre-back role. This match would be a good opportunity to give him a taste of the intensity and physicality of a competitive English match before he plays in the Championship.
LB: Ben Chrisene
Darlin Yongwa has only been in the building a few days and may not be ready in time to come straight into the starting line-up against MK Dons, which is why Ben Chrisene could start this match ahead of the pair competing for a start against West Brom.
The midfield
RCM: Jacob Wright
Jacob Wright could get the nod in the middle of the park after he caught the eye against Osasuna in the friendly at Carrow Road last weekend.
Kenny McLean and Pelle Mattsson are the clear favourites to start the league season in midfield, and could be rested for this cup clash.
LCM: Sam Field
Sam Field could start alongside Wright to provide experience and leadership in the middle of the park in the absence of McLean, whilst also offering balance as a left-footed player on the left.
AM: Anis Ben Slimane
It will be particularly interesting to see who gets picked in the number ten role, as there have been debates on social media about whether Anis Ben Slimane or Paris Maghoma will be first-choice in the league.
For now, the Tunisia international could get the nod for this game, making him second-choice for the league, ahead of Maghoma starting against the Baggies.
The attack
RW: Matej Jurasek
It is fair to say that Andre Brooks will be the first-choice in the league after his £8m move from Sheffield United this summer, which leaves Matej Jurasek as the second option in this position.
The Czechia international will have to prove to Clement that he deserves to start regularly in the league by taking his chances in games like this, with Brooks benched for now.
ST: Mohamed Toure
Mathias Kvistgaarden impressed throughout pre-season, providing two assists, and may have earned himself a start for the opener against West Brom next week.
Mohamed Toure, therefore, could start this game against MK Dons, having returned to pre-season later than others after the World Cup, to continue his return to full sharpness.
LW: Liam Gibbs
Liam Gibbs is a great squad player to have because of his ability to go and play in any role and work hard for the team, but very few supporters will be excited to see him start on the wing.
With Papa Diallo and Ahmed out and Oscar Schwartau needed against West Brom, Gibbs playing on the left flank may be necessary for this game.
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