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UNITED SHEFFIELD (H)

When: Saturday, April 1, 3:00 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Sheffield United 2-2 Norwich City

At one point, the Blades looked unstoppable and were almost alongside Burnley in the promotion guarantee category.

Their early season form looked like a steam train rolling through the underdog Championship they were happy to take on, but signs of faltering have appeared in recent months.

Of course, the quality of the team is still good enough to keep them in the top two of the second division, but pressure from Middlesbrough, who are building momentum, means this is important for Paul Heckingbottom’s men.

However, it may be necessary to surprise in the current situation in the Canary Islands, so it could be from end to end.

Prediction: City have struggled against the top teams in the Championship this season, so it’s hard to see a win on the cards. However, with home advantage and a point to prove, a point seems quite possible. 1-1

City drew 2-2 with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. (Image: AP)

BLACKBURN ROVERS (A)

When: Friday, April 7, 3:00 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Norwich City 0-2 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn defeated City 2-0 at Carrow Road as Dean Smith’s tenure came to an end, but they are not the force they were at the time.

Like the Blades, his career has pointed in various directions. His momentum also appears to have slowed in recent weeks, with defeats to the aforementioned United and Stoke City in recent times.

However, with a less challenging trip to Birmingham City ahead of Norwich’s visit, they are hoping to go into the game with some confidence. David Wagner hopes his team doesn’t suffer the opposite effect after that decisive clash six days earlier.

Prediction: Combining those fights against superior teams with a difficult journey up north doesn’t seem appealing to the canaries, so it’s hard to side with them on this one. 1-0.

ROTHERHAM (H)

When: Monday, April 10, 3:00 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Rotherham United 1-2 Norwich City

This feels like a vitally winnable game for City, with the previous difficult games increasing the pressure on them to produce.

The Millers are fighting the slide well, with four points and one game remaining separating them from 22nd-placed Huddersfield.

Former loanee Jacob Ramsey made the difference the last time the teams met, so the Norfolk side will have to find a new way.

Prediction: Norwich should have enough to beat Rotherham, although the Yorkshire side will put up a good fight. 2-0

MIDDLESBROUGH (A)

When: Friday, April 14, 8 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Norwich City 1-2 Middlesbrough

After a brief respite, City go straight back to underdog status as they travel to Riverside to take on Middlesbrough in mid-April.

The Teessiders have performed consistently well since Michael Carrick’s appointment as head coach, with their 2–1 win at Carrow Road one of his first games in charge.

Chuba Akpom is an unrivaled attacking force in the Championship at present, and the former Manchester United midfielder is bringing out the best in his most experienced operators.

Former Norwich head of recruiting Kieran Scott’s status as Boro’s head of football adds another level of intrigue to the match as Norwich perform in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Prediction: If City do their best this will be a close game, but it is a game the hosts will feel they must win. 2-1

Middlesbrough were victorious at Carrow Road earlier this season. (Image: AP)

QUEENS PARK RANGER (A)

When: Wednesday, April 19, 7:45 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Norwich City 0-0 QPR

It’s a back-to-back away game for City as they head to the capital after that trip to the North East.

In west London they will face QPR, who started the season very well under Mick Beale but have collapsed since his move to Glasgow Rangers.

They are currently battling relegation, and while they hope to shake off those concerns when they take on the Canaries, Gareth Ainsworth’s side will certainly not be competing at the top of the second division.

That makes Norwich a must-win so late in the season, and Wagner will know it. If his players can handle the pressure coming up at the end of the period, he might as well decide who wins the points.

Prediction: Another Norwich hope to win but QPR managed to thwart them early in the season and it’s going to be a grueling few days. However, with the added motivation of the play-off spot they so desperately want, they just might beat it. 1-2

SWANSEA CITY (H)

When: Saturday, April 22, 3:00 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Swansea City 0-1 Norwich City

Russell Martin’s Swansea arrive at Carrow Road for Norwich’s penultimate home game of the season, and it seems likely that it will mean more to the Norfolk side than it does to the Swans.

After briefly flirting with a play-off place around the turn of the year, the latter have slipped back to the mid-table position they have regularly found themselves in since Martin’s arrival.

Whether that could give them the freedom to express themselves on NR1 could be a concern for Norwich fans, who expect quality to count.

Prediction: This feels like a match that should be as straightforward as possible in the Championship. There will be resistance from Swansea but Norwich should have enough to take all three points. 3-1

Norwich welcome former captain Russell Martin’s Swansea to Norfolk in April. (Image: AP)

WEST BROMINE (A)

When: Saturday, April 29, 3:00 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Norwich City 1-1 West Brom

West Bromwich Albion won’t make it easy for City when they travel to the Hawthorns on April 29.

They have improved enormously since the arrival of Carlos Corberan in the West Midlands, after Steve Bruce struggled to turn performances into results earlier in the season.

The Baggies are hoping for a late push into the play-offs in much the same way as the Canaries. They currently sit ninth in the table and are two points behind their yellow and green counterparts, but with one game down they certainly retain a chance.

Depending on the form of both teams between now and this clash, it could be huge.

Prediction: Going to a good West Brom side, it’s hard to say that the result will be good for City. 2-0

BLACK POOL (H)

When: Monday, May 8, 3:00 p.m.

Reverse mounting: Blackpool 0-1 Norwich City

Rounding things off is a visit from Mick McCarthy’s relegation-battling Tangerines on the final day of the season.

It could be a day of euphoria for City fans as they embark on their play-off adventure, or it could be a bitterly disappointing blow at the end of a disappointing campaign.

Blackpool will be happy to spoil the party, but the Canaries will be confident in the level of opposition they face in what could prove to be the decider.

Prediction: Despite the high stakes, Norwich should have the quality to beat Blackpool on what could be an important day for them. 3-0