Chelsea vs. Norwich City preview, English Premier League
English Premier League giants Chelsea host newly promoted side Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, in what seems to be a highly predictable fixture. The Blues are clear favourites to register a win against Norwich City and claim all three points.
However, the former Championship side have not done too bad since their promotion and could prove to be a tough challenge for the London side.
In their opening two matches of the Premier League, Norwich City have managed decent 1-1 draws with both Wigan Athletic and Stoke City. Their past record against Chelsea, especially at Stamford Bridge, isn’t too impressive. The last two times Norwich City
visited the Bridge they lost 4-0 both times, which would surely give the Blues confidence going into the game.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has refused to take Norwich City lightly, urging his side to be wary of the highly attacking side. The Portuguese side admitted his side had to work hard to get a decent result against Norwich City, after struggling against
West Bromwich Albion last weekend. Chelsea barely managed to secure a 2-1 win against Roy Hodgson’s side.
Villas-Boas was certain his side would have to do much better against Norwich City, who earned promotion to the Premier League after an impressive season in the Championship. He revealed he had been studying Norwich City, who were the highest scoring team
last season, and expected them to present a tough challenge over the weekend.
Villas-Boas said in an interview:
“I cannot go in depth on Norwich last season but I know they had a fantastic season, an incredible amount of goals scored last season and the season before, coming up twice.”
Team news
Chelsea
Villas-Boas’ recent signing Juan Mata, the 23-year-old Spanish winger from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863, will be expected to be present for the Blues over the weekend. While he may not start, Villas-Boas hinted the versatile player could find himself on the bench with the possibility
of making an appearance some time later on in the game.
Chelsea signed Mata for an estimated £23 million from the La Liga outfit, finding themselves in need of a wide player after a slow start to the new season. His arrival is expected to bring the ageing Chelsea squad to life, with Villas-Boas also having more
flexibility with the current formation as well. The Blues boss admitted he was looking forward to Mata’s contribution.
He said:
“He has an eye for goal and a magnificent record for assists throughout his career.”
Another player, who has been absent due to injury, could be making an appearance for Chelsea today. Villas-Boas revealed that David Luiz had returned to full training, but was not yet ready to start the match which is why the Brazilian would start on the bench.
The Portuguese manager revealed he was planning to bring Luiz on later in the game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Essien-c25294 is out with a long term injury, having sustained a knee injury during pre-season training. The Ghanaian midfielder is sidelined for at least six months and is expected to return for the Blues in the latter half of the season. Goalkeeper Petr
Cech has reportedly made progress and can be expected back after the international duty. Everyone else is fit for selection.
Villas-Boas continued:
“http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858 and I am going to let him go to add a couple of minutes.
On other fronts there is nothing special. Petr has made a tremendous recovery and is looking good for after the international break and Essien is long-term.”
Norwich City
Leon Barnett earned a red card against Stoke City because of which he will now miss the three upcoming fixtures in the Premier League. Norwich City manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-c29347 Lambert will have to rely on new arrival Daniel Ayala, along with Richie de Laet, who arrived
on a loan move from Manchester United. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kyle-Naughton-c21563, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, will also most likely start against Chelsea.
Marc Tierney, Elliott Bennett, Anthony Pilkington and Andre Crofts have managed to remain consistent and will earn a start over the weekend. Wes Hoolahan is expected to be unavailable and Lambert could have to rely on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Martin and/or Simeon Jackson to
provide the firepower along with Grant Holt, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/James-Vaughan-c17722 still out injured.
Possible line-ups
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044.
Norwich City
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-c9879 Ayala, Marc Tierney, Kyle Naughton; Andrew Crofts, Oli Johnson, Elliott Bennett, Anthony Pilkington, Russell Martin; Grant Holt.
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