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3 Point Preview – Chelsea vs Norwich; Blues look to maintain the Unbeaten Run

What : Chelsea(1st) vs Norwich(18th), English Premier League

Where : Stamford Bridge

When : 06/10/12, 15:00 GMT

Chelsea :

  • The Blues have no new injury worries, so they have almost a full-strength squad to select from.Daniel Sturridge remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, but is well on the way to recovery and should be available in the near future.
  • Chelsea are unbeaten so far in the league, with 16 points from a possible 18, their best start since 2009-10 when they last won the title.They have conceded only three league goals.
  • Roberto Di Matteo shuffled his pack for the trip to Denmark with John Terry and Eden Hazard rested. Both are set to return for this fixture and the starting eleven, barring any last minute injuries might look like this :

 

Cech
Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole
Lampard, Mikel
Mata, Oscar, Hazard
Torres

Norwich

  • Both Sebastian Bassong and Anthony Pilkington are recovering from knocks, but should both be available to start the game, while Simon Lappin could be set for a return to the squad, but it is unlikely given his absence was due to ankle ligament damage.
  • The Canaries have conceded the most goals from outside the penalty area of all Premier League teams, with five finding their net.But Norwich lead the fair play charts so far in the Premier League, having picked up only two bookings.
  • Full-back Steven Whittaker (ankle) continues his rehabilitation, while on-loan Tottenham striker Harry Kane is sidelined by a broken metatarsal.Beyond that, the Canaries have no new injury concerns, so have a strong squad available to manager Chris Hughton. The team could look like this:

Ruddy
Martin, Bassong, Barnett, Garrido

Snodgrass, Johnson, Howson, Surman
Hoolahan
Holt

Key Players 

  • Juan Mata : After a slow start this season, Mata is back to last season’s form. He is scoring as well as assisting in abundance in the last few games and will look to continue his form.
  • Eden Hazard : After a blistering start to his Premier League life, he had a few silent games. Nothing better than a home game against the minnows to get back his form.
  • Grant Holt : A bustling centre forward who, surprisingly, scored more goals than many anticipated last season. He hasn`t hit the net so regularly, so far, this season, but he remains a real threat

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Prediction

Chelsea 3-0 Norwich

  • Expecting/Hoping a shock?? Don’t bet on it.
  •  A home game, in sublime form and facing a struggling team placed in the relegation zone, the Blues will dominate the game in all areas.
  • The Cannaries let in 5 goals last week against Liverpool and their hopes of keeping a clean sheet (last one was 32 games ago) will mostly go in vain.