Chelsea v Norwich - Match preview and team news
League leaders Chelsea will be confident of continuing their supreme run of form at Stamford Bridge against a Norwich side that have yet to win in the Premier League under Chris Hughton so far this season.
Last week’s all-London clash at the Emirates was deemed to be a major test for Roberto Di Matteo’s new-look side and so the Blues will be delighted to have come away with a deserved 2-1 victory and convincing performance to match. The 4-0 win over Danish minnows FC Nordsjaelland in midweek to put the European champions in control of their Champions League group rounded off a superb week for the club.
Di Matteo looks set to mix his selection up for the visit of the Canaries, with John Terry and Eden Hazard likely to return to the starting line up after being left out in midweek. The Chelsea boss must also decide whether to persist with the midfield that defeated Arsenal or bring Frank Lampard into the fray in place of either John Obi Mikel, Ramires or Oscar. Daniel Sturridge remains Chelsea’s only serious absentee.
Chris Hughton’s Canaries will be wary of being on the end of another thrashing after his team’s steady run of form was sharply halted by a rampant Liverpool side last week. Hughton was critical of his side’s defensive display and any repeat of that is likely to result in a similar if not similar scoreline against Chelsea’s attacking talents.
Thus, Norwich will be desperate to call on the services of central-defender Sebastien Bassong, who could return after missing the Liverpool defeat with a hamstring injury. Elsewhere, Grant Holt is pushing for a start after scoring his first goal of the season last week with an expertly taken finish.
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