Preview & Prediction: Chelsea vs Norwich

Chelsea go into the weekend needing a win to leapfrog their opponents and pull away from the danger zone as Jose Mourinho’s men seek to recover from a terrible start to the season.

The stats don’t make pretty reading for Blues fans; they have lost three successive matches for the first time in the Roman Abramovich era, and their tally of seven defeats is the most Mourinho has ever suffered in a single season with star striker Diego Costa not scoring in six matches.

Norwich may be ideal opponents for Chelsea to rediscover some form, however; the hosts have only lost one of their last 11 meetings against the Canaries.

The international break came at a far from ideal time for the visitors, who won their first match in six and kept their only clean sheet of the season in the 1-0 victory over Swansea a fortnight ago.

Their away record needs some improvement, however; they have won just once on the road all season and conceded 15 goals away from Carrow Road – the third-worst record in the division.

Team News

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is back in training but Saturday’s match will come too soon for a return for the Belgian stopper.

Branislav Ivanovic is back from a hamstring strain, with the Serbian hoping to recapture last season’s form – his poor start to the campaign has mirrored that of his team.

Norwich captain Russell Martin returns from a one-match ban to take his place at the heart of the back four, whilst winger Nathan Redmond is hoping to be fit. Matt Jarvis misses out for the visitors through injury.

League Position: Chelsea – 16th (11 pts); Norwich – 15th (12 pts)
Last Meeting: Chelsea 0-0 Norwich (May 4, 2014)
Key Players: Chelsea – Willian; Norwich – Russell Martin
Form: Chelsea – DLWLLL; Norwich – DLLLLW
Shoot Says: Chelsea 2-0 Norwich