EPL Week 22: Norwich City vs. Chelsea and 5 Hot-to-Trot Tips

These two sides meet in this Week 22 clash with both desperately needing the three points that are on offer.

For Chelsea, the points are the difference between staying with the leaders and another mediocre Premier League season. For Norwich, the points are a statement to their fans and to the league that they are a genuine threat to the title in years to come, and not simply another average, middle of the league side.

With valuable points on the line in this one, and both teams thinking they should be able take the points, this could get interesting.

Whether you're a diehard supporter or just a casual observer, here are five hot-to-trot money-making tips that are sure to make this game even greater for you.

Head-to-Head

Both sides come in to this game on the back of two-game winning streaks; Norwich on an away streak, and will be eager to perform well in front of their home fans. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be eager to repeat the dose they gave out to Norwich at Stamford Bridge when the two met last time—a two-goal victory for the men in blue.

Chelsea are scoring in two-thirds of their matches, and have scored in every game since a loss to QPR on the 23rd of October, 2011. And with Norwich conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game, the potential for goals is there for Chelsea.

Yet don't underestimate Norwich. They were unlucky against Chelsea last time, with a late penalty goal and an injury-time goal all that separated the two on the day.

However, one has a feeling that Chelsea will take the lead going in to the half, and will be very difficult to run down after that, despite Norwich's best attempts.

Hot-to-trot tip: Chelsea to win

Halftime Result

Chelsea have only allowed their opponents to lead in under 20 percent of their matches this season, and with Norwich scoring half their goals in the final half an hour of play, take Chelsea to be leading at the half.

Despite them only conceding just 37 percent of their goals in the first half, Norwich's defense will be tested against a Chelsea unit that boasts the likes of Lampard and Sturridge; both of whom are in firing form in recent weeks.

Recent wins by Chelsea haven't been as inspiring as management and fans would have liked, but all goals and points are valuable, so don't expect them to put too many on by the half.

I'd take Chelsea to be leading by a single goal going in to the half.

Hot-to-trot tip: Chelsea to lead 1-0 at halftime

Total Goals for the Match

Whilst Chelsea have been involved in two relatively uneventful and uninspiring matches recently, the over 2.5 goals still looks like a solid play to take.

The over has occurred in half of their games this year, and Norwich has had the over occur in 62 percent of their matches.

The only concern that could arise would be Chelsea taking a 2-0 victory; however, even when opponents score first, Norwich have gotten points on over half the occasions. So should Chelsea get an early goal, confidence is still high enough that there are to be more goals for the match.

Take the over 1.5 goals if you're a wuss, but the over 2.5 goals looks like a smart play.

Hot-to-trot tip: Over 2.5 goals for the match

 

Player to Score at Any Time

Chelsea's Frank Lampard was the hero really the last time the two played, and also got the game-winner two weeks ago for the Blues. Expect him to continue his dominance here.

Norwich have conceded the second-highest amount of penalties this year, and as the probable penalty taker, Lampard could find the back of the net at value in this one.

If you're feeling lucky, take him to score the first goal, but there's still good enough value at him to score at any time in the match, so I'm sticking with that.

Hot-to-trot tip: Frank Lampard to score at any time

Final Score

As mentioned above, it's likely that Chelsea will take a lead going in to halftime, and will be too hard to run down after that. They are too short to back, and money has come in for Norwich at home, but I can't see them getting the points.

Chelsea know that if they're going to make any sort of run in to the top three, they need to win games like this one, and they'll do the job here.

I'm thinking a Frank Lampard penalty, into a Darren Sturridge goal just after halftime, before a Grant Holt consolation goal late for Norwich as Chelsea show their class over an impressive Norwich.

Hot-to-trot tip: Chelsea to win 2-1

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