Norwich City start 2024 by welcoming Russell Martin's promotion-chasing Southampton to Carrow Road, hoping to prevent three straight Championship defeats. 

The Canaries ended last year with a disappointing defeat to Millwall that followed their Boxing Day slump against West Brom. 

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Despite a positive run of form preceding those losses, David Wagner finds himself under pressure with supporters once again. 

The German is celebrating his 50th game in charge of City after succeeding Dean Smith last January. His record over the last 49 games reads as 19 wins, nine draws and 21 defeats. Norwich have scored and conceded 69 goals over that period with a points per game rate of 1.35 throughout his tenure so far. 

With the heat now firmly back on, Norwich will be out to return to winning ways against one of the division's best at Carrow Road this afternoon. 

Norwich have virtually a full squad to select from with Josh Sargent making the bench against Millwall and Borja Sainz available again after serving his one-game suspension. 

Dimi Giannoulis will miss the fixture after undergoing surgery on a facial injury whilst Jacob Sorensen has returned to training but requires time to build up his fitness reserves after being sidelined since pre-season with a groin issue. 

Southampton are on a 17-game unbeaten run in the league and haven't lost in the Championship since a 2-1 away defeat to Middlesbrough back in September. 

Martin, who took the Saints hotseat over the summer, is beginning to see his possession-heavy approach yield consistent results. They arrive at Carrow Road sitting three points behind second-placed Ipswich, desperate to pile more pressure on with victory this afternoon. 

They enjoyed a productive Christmas period by recording back-to-back victories over Martin's former club Swansea and Plymouth - they will be hoping to make it a perfect three-game spell with a win this afternoon. 

Southampton have won four games on the spin. They will be without Ross Stewart, James Bree and Kamaldeen Sulemana - whilst Martin faces a late call on ex-Ipswich man Flynn Downes who has been suffering with illness. 

Norwich do enjoy a positive record on New Year's Day - losing just one of their last 14 home league matches on this date, a 1-0 defeat to Wimbledon in 1990. 

You can follow all of the updates, analysis and reaction in our NCFC Live blog.

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