Norwich vs Chelsea Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Predicted Score

Chelsea take on Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon looking to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.

The Reds moved clear at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon but Chelsea can move to within two points if they beat the Canaries on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho’s men warmed up for the clash with a comfortable 4-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League on Tuesday night while they gained a valuable 1-1 draw away at Tottenham last weekend.

The Blues should be heading to Carrow Road full of confidence given the fact they haven’t lost on the ground in nearly twenty years.

However, Chris Hughton will be looking to build on his sides win away at Stoke last weekend, which was only their second of the season, and they have tasted defeat just once at home so far this campaign.

Team News

Norwich are sweating on the fitness of defender Sebastien Bassong, who remains a doubt with a hamstring strain that’s kept him out of action for over two weeks.  Michael Turner and Ryan Bennett have performed well in Bassong’s absence, so should continue their partnership at the back this weekend.

Javier Garrido and Nathan Redmond are both expected to miss out and they join midfielder Ellioy Bennett on the sidelines.

Chelsea received a blow in midweek with Fernando Torres ruled out for three weeks with a knee injury. The Spaniard would have missed this game in any case after being controversially sent off against Spurs last weekend.

This opens the door for Eto’o to return to the starting line-up with the Cameroonian hitman yet to find his feet since joining the club in the summer.

Juan Mata and Andre Schurrle will feel disappointed if they don’t retain their places after impressing in recent games while John Obi Mikel may come in for Frank Lampard in midfield with Mourinho reluctant to play the aging midfielder in consecutive matches.

Winger Eden Hazard is likely to miss out once again with an ankle injury and Marco Van Ginkel is out for the season with a knee injury.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Juan Mata: The little Spaniard came off the bench and changed the game last week against Spurs and will be hungry to show more of what he can do after seemingly being given a life-line by Mourinho.

Predicted Score

Norwich 1-2 Chelsea: The Canaries will put up a good fight, but we can see Chelsea having just too much for them to handle.

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