Chelsea vs. Norwich City: 5 Things Blues Must Do to Win

When Chelsea face Norwich City on Saturday, they will need to snatch up three points.

The Blues may be out of the title race, but they need to secure a spot in next year's Champions League. Chelsea are currently four points ahead of Arsenal and Newcastle United, but no lead should feel safe.

Norwich City are one of the surprises in the English Premier League this year, and no one can overlook them (especially a team that was embarrassed by a pretty terrible Aston Villa club). The Canaries nearly took points from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, so you know they'll be ready to grab points at home.

Chelsea are the favorites, but they need to play like it. If not, they'll be leaving Norwich empty-handed.

Avoid Disasters

The only goal Chelsea conceded against Norwich City in August was a howler.

Hilario needlessly came off his line, and he crashed with Branislav Ivanovic, allowing Grant Holt to throw on an open net. Holt equalized, and three points were suddenly in danger.

Chelsea were able to score two late goals, but it shouldn't have come down to that. If Hilario would've stayed calm, Norwich City probably wouldn't have scored, allowing Chelsea to continue their dominance.

Hilario shouldn't see the pitch on Saturday, so that won't be an issue. However, other disasters are possible (I'm looking at you David Luiz), and Chelsea must avoid them to win.

Contain Norwich City's Strikers

Grant Holt and Steve Morison are very good strikers.

Although they are a little past their primes, each of them is proving that goal-scoring in the EPL is effortless. Okay, well, it hasn't looked that easy, but still.

Morison leads the attack with eight goals and four assists. Meanwhile, Holt is a great target forward, with seven goals and two assists. With these two up top, the Canaries have a surprisingly dangerous attack.

If Chelsea can't contain these two, Norwich will get plenty of chances. At home, they have the fifth most goals in the Premier League (17), and they'll hope to add to that tally on Saturday.

If Chelsea keep these two under wraps, they shouldn't have trouble securing three points. If not, Norwich could easily come away the victors.

Defend in the Air

This is a slight combination of the past two slides.

Grant Holt is a great target forward, and Chelsea's backline has been suspect. Given those two things, this could prove disastrous for the Blues.

We saw how poor air defending nearly cost Chelsea in the last Norwich City match. Now, things may not be as fortunate, given they are on the road.

Chelsea have great individual defenders. Unfortunately, they haven't quite played like it.

With a tough schedule coming up, Chelsea need to shore up the defense immediately. If they can defend in the air, they shouldn't have a problem getting three points on the road this week.

Play Like the Last Norwich City Match

The last time these two teams met, Chelsea had 70 percent possession.

Meanwhile, they started John Obi Mikel and not Juan Mata.

Yikes.

Now, those two things have been figured out, which should help them hold possession and attack more effectively. Chelsea were sharp for most of the match, and they didn't let Norwich City do much, aside from a few chances.

If Chelsea play that well again, this match won't even be close. There (hopefully) won't be another gaffe in front of the net, and a clean sheet should help them take down the Canaries.

Obviously, Norwich will have 11 men, which should help them prevent Chelsea from dominating so much possession.

Chelsea were dangerous on the attack back in August. If they attack like that, they should be able to get the three points.

Finish Chances

Chelsea played well last time against Norwich City, but they didn't finish their chances.

Norwich were down to 10 men, but Chelsea still couldn't put the game away until stoppage time. Branislav Ivanovic missed two point-blank headers, John Terry had a shot pulled off the line and Frank Lampard missed on a rebound.

Chelsea need to bury the Canaries quickly at home. When presented those chances, the Blues need to put them in the back of the net.

The longer this match is close, the more excited the crowd will become. Chelsea don't want that to happen, so they must score early and often.

Chelsea are great at creating chances. However, they aren't the best at finishing those chances. If the Blues can convert their easy chances, this match should result in three points for them.