'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Jose Mourinho will return with his Chelsea stars from the international break in a fairly positive mood when they take on Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. With the Blues ready to respond to their disappointing defeat to Stoke City two weeks ago, Mourinho will be expecting his players to fight for their pride and show the world why they won the league last season.
Norwich City come into the game one spot ahead of Chelsea, having beaten Swansea City 1-0 at home before the international break. Chelsea’s loss to Stoke had seen Mourinho serving his stadium ban and the Blues succumbed to their seventh Premier League loss of the season before the break which left the champions sitting just three points above the relegation zone.
With an away Champions League tie to come next week against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Mourinho will need to find a way to lift his team quickly, although the club's match at home to fellow strugglers Norwich this weekend could be just what they need to achieve that aim. Chelsea may have lost three league games at Stamford Bridge this term, but Norwich have also endured a tricky start to the campaign and find themselves just one point above the Blues in the table.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Star Sports 1
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Saturday, 21 November 2015 – 20:30 IST (15:00 BST)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Team News
Chelsea: Chelsea’s goalkeeper woes continue as Thibaut Courtois is still out after he had a knee surgery although the Belgian is nearing a return. Eden Hazard may start the game on the bench or be omitted altogether after sitting out one of Belgium's training sessions earlier this week with a fever and sore throat, but Mourinho has said that Hazard is available to start the game.
Defender Kurt Zouma missed France's friendlies over the international break with an unspecified problem while Radamel Falcao continues to recover from a muscular injury. However, the good news for Chelsea and Mourinho is the return of Branislav Ivanovic, who has recovered from a hamstring injury and may well start for the champions.
Norwich City: Norwich City are expecting winger Nathan Redmond to shake off a thigh injury and be available for the important game. Whereas, Captain Russell Martin is available again following a one-game suspension he served against Swansea City. On-loan winger Matt Jarvis remains sidelined with a knee injury while midfielders Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan will be assessed after helping the Republic of Ireland secure their place at Euro 2016.
Probable lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Matic, Ramires, Pedro, Oscar, Willian, Costa.
Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Ruddy, Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Howson, Tettey, Redmond, Brady, Hoolahan, Jerome.
Form
Chelsea’s bad form this season has been well documented and their 1-0 defeat against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium two weeks ago courtesy of a Marko Arnautovic goal which was their seventh Premier League loss in 12 games. The result came after the Blues had secured a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League, a competition in which Chelsea have managed to do well in, in contrast to the league.
Against Norwich CIty, Chelsea will be expected to bring back the glory days, and show their wrath. Mourinho and Chelsea have endured a poor spell but that does not mean they are a bad team, the same players won the league last season. So, the lava might erupt on Saturday.
Last 5 games: L-D-L-W-L (Last match: Stoke City 1-0 Chelsea)
Norwich City have also endured a difficult time in the top-flight this term, having lost six Premier League games so far – which included a 6-2 thrashing away to Newcastle. Despite languishing in 15th place in the standings, Alex Neil's side do come into their game with Chelsea having beaten Swansea 1-0 thanks to Jonny Howson's first goal of the season.
However, the Canaries have a poor record against Chelsea with the Blues remaining unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions against Norwich. In fact, the last time the Blues lost to Norwich in the top-flight was in December 1994.
Last 5 games: L-L-D-L-W (Last match: Norwich City 1-0 Swansea City)
Key Stats
- Chelsea have had a remarkable season so far as 75% of their games this season have had over 2.5 goals scored in total
- Norwich City have a record of scoring at least one goal in 83% of their away games
- The Blues have lost three league games in a row for the first time since October 1999
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions against Norwich City (W8 D3), where they last lost to the Canaries 3-0 away in the league back in December 1994
- Norwich have won none and lost six of their last eight EPL meetings
- Eden Hazard has scored two goals in four Premier League appearances against Norwich
- Dieumerci Mbokani has been involved in three of the Canaries' last five Premier League goals (scored two, one assist)
- The Blues have dropped the joint-most points from leading positions in the top flight this season (eight along with Aston Villa)
Key Battles
Dieumerci Mbokani vs Gary Cahill
The 29-year-old has made a great impression since signing on a season-long loan from Dynamo Kyiv. With two goals in six league games, the 6’3” striker is a real menace in the air and could be the man to inflict further damage on Chelsea’s leaky defence. Used mainly as an impact player under Alex Neil, DR Congo’s record goalscorer will be using his sheer power and presence to bring his teammates into play and be a real nuisance for Mourinho’s men.
Gary Cahill will be assigned the responsibility of marking the in-form striker as Chelsea look to tighten their defence. The worrying factor for Chelsea has been their defense, and if Cahill can manage to stop Mbokani, it will be a huge boost for the hosts.
Willian vs Wes Hoolahan
Willian has managed only one assist so far this term, but the Brazilian remains a potent threat on the ball, as highlighted by his 19 completed dribbles. He is also a danger from set-pieces as his two goals from direct free-kicks show. Opposing him on Saturday will be Norwich and Wes Hoolahan.
The Republic of Ireland international has also shown his willingness to run at defenders this term, completing 14 dribbles. Hoolahan is also positive in possession and has made 52 passes into the final third this term, just one fewer than Willian. Where Hoolahan trumps Willian, however, is with assists. The Norwich man has five, a tally bettered in the BPL only by David Silva and Mesut Ozil, although Hoolahan has been helped by better finishing from team-mates.
Both players have created the same number of chances this season with 20.
Prediction
This is a must-win game for Chelsea. Diego Costa has got to step up, stop wanting to fight everybody and be the player that they bought to score goals. A loss would proabably put a top four finish out of the question and Jose Mourinho will be under a lot more pressure. Even Arsene Wenger could not go on a run like this and survive.
Predicted score: Chelsea 2-0 Norwich City
Betting odds (bet365)
Chelsea – 4/9
Draw – 15/4
Norwich City – 15/2
