Guus Hiddink has turned Chelsea’s fortunes around in the Premier League since his arrival in December, and after winning back-to-back league games for the first time last weekend, the Blues will look to extend their run of good form with a win at Carrow Road.
After a horrendous start to their season that left them hovering around the relegation zone, the Dutch manager seems to have finally turned things around. Chelsea are now 12 points clear of the relegation zone, and are on the cusp of returning to the top half of the Premier League table for the first time since August 2015.
Meanwhile, it is a completely different story for Norwich City, who are currently languishing in the 17th position and have a relegation fight on their hands. In fact, Newcastle United (who are in the relegation zone), are just behind the Canaries by virtue of goal difference. Alex Neil’s side are on an eight-match winless streak at the moment, and will find it difficult to get a result against a free-flowing Chelsea side.
Lineups
Norwich City
Possible Starting XI (5-4-1): Ruddy; Brady, Klose, Martin, Bennett, Pinto; Naismith, Howson, Tettey, Redmond; Mbokani.
Chelsea
Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Rahman, Cahill, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Mikel; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Costa.
Key Stats
- Chelsea are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
- Norwich have lost six of their last seven Premier League matches.
- Chelsea have scored 13 goals in their last five Premier League matches.
- Norwich, on the other hand, have conceded 13 in their last five matches.
- The Blues have managed to win nine out of their last 11 matches against the Canaries in all competitions.
Prediction
Norwich City 0-4 Chelsea FC
Norwich are just about hanging on to the last non-relegation spot in the Premier League table by virtue of their superior goal difference. However, their 17th spot may be under threat when they face a rampant Chelsea side that showed good character to get their first comeback victory of the season against Southampton last weekend. With the rate at which Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea have been scoring against the weaker Premier League sides, a heavy defeat could well be on the cards for the Canaries.
Odds (Paddy Power)
Norwich City: 4/1
Draw: 11/4
Chelsea FC: 7/10