Chelsea vs. Norwich City: EPL Preview, Team News and Predicted Starting Lineups
There could not be two teams with more contrasting starts to this Premier League season than Chelsea and Norwich City.
Norwich City, facing the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, sits in 18th place in the EPL table, still looking for its first win after six games.
By contrast, we see Chelsea sitting happily at the top of the table, still undefeated in the League and coming off of an emphatic 4-0 victory over FC Nordsjaelland in the Champions League midweek.
It seems as though the Canaries have a monumental battle to get even a point out of this game, but they will be hoping to catch Chelsea off guard as the Blues look towards more taxing fixtures ahead of them.
What follows is a full preview of the match on Saturday, including team news and predicted starting lineups.
The Details
1 of 4Chelsea FC vs. Norwich City FC
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6 2012
Location: Stamford Bridge, London
Competition: English Premier League
Time: 1500 BST/1000 ET
Television: Fox Soccer Channel (Live, US), BBC, Sky Sports (Highlights, UK)
Chelsea EPL Form: WWWDWW
Norwich EPL Form: LDDDLL
Chelsea Team News
2 of 4Injuries: Daniel Sturridge, hamstring
Suspensions: None in effect
With both Frank Lampard and John Terry sitting out recent games, Roberto Di Matteo has made it clear that no player is untouchable. However, his decisions usually reflect an effective squad rotation system rather than poor form.
That said, John Terry is likely to start, having sat out the midweek trip to Nordsjaelland, as his four-game ban is not yet in effect.
Cesar Azpilicueta is still looking for his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt. There is a good chance that it will be on Saturday if Di Matteo elects to give Branislav Ivanovic a much needed rest.
Daniel Sturridge is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so it looks like another 90 minutes for Fernando Torres.
Norwich City Team News
3 of 4Injuries: Sebastien Bassong, hamstring; Harry Kane, metatarsal; Simon Lappin, ankle; Steven Whittaker, ankle; Anthony Pilkington, back.
Suspensions: None
After a humiliating loss to Liverpool last week, expect Chris Hughton to make some changes to his side.
These changes may be limited by injuries with Harry Kane still out and Sebastien Bassong a doubt.
One addition we can expect to see, however, is Wes Hoolahan. Hughton was heavily criticized for leaving the Irish midfielder out of the starting lineup against Liverpool, after a good performance against Newcastle the previous week. Do not be surprised if he receives a bigger role on Saturday.
Predicted Lineups
4 of 4Chelsea: (possible, 4-2-3-1) Cech; Cole, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Lampard, Mikel; Mata, Hazard, Oscar; Torres.
Norwich: (possible, 4-4-1-1) Ruddy; Martin, Barnett, Turner, Garrido; Snodgrass, Howson, Johnson, Surman; Hoolahan; Morison.
