Team
news, stats and prediction ahead of Norwich vs Chelsea in the Premier
League.
Team news
Norwich are still without the injured Onel Hernandez, Christoph Zimmermann
and Josip Drmic but Timm Klose, Ibrahim Amadou and Adam Idah offer more
options in defense as they return to full fitness. Jamal Lewis was
substituted with cramp last weekend but is expected to return.
Chelsea are without fresh injury concerns and Willian could make his first
start of the season after coming on as a substitute against Leicester
following an injury. Callum Hudson-Odoi has returned to training but is not
expected to make the matchday squad until after the international break.
Opta stats
Norwich City are winless in their last 10 Premier League contests against
Chelsea (D2 L8) since a 3-0 win at Carrow Road in December 1994 under John
Deehan.
In all competitions, Chelsea are unbeaten in 15 matches against Norwich City
(W10 D5), including avoiding defeat in their last seven trips to Carrow Road
(W4 D3).
Norwich City have won just once in their last 15 Premier League home games
against 'big six' opposition, picking up just seven points from a possible
45 in this run (W1 D4 L10).
Norwich are looking to win three consecutive Premier League home games for
the first time since December 2012 (a run of 5).
Chelsea have gone four Premier League away matches without a win (W0 D2 L2),
failing to score in three of those games. The Blues last endured a longer
away winless streak during a seven-game run between September and December
2015 under Jose Mourinho (6 games) and Guus Hiddink (1 game).
Chelsea haven't failed to win their opening three games to a Premier League
season since 1998-99 under Gianluca Vialli. However, the Blues went on to
finish third in that campaign, qualifying for the Champions League for the
first time.
Norwich's Teemu Pukki could become the 10th player to score in each of his
first three Premier League appearances. He's netted four goals in his two
games so far - only Pavel Pogrebnyak scored as many as five goals in his
first three games in the competition.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
I saw Teemu Pukki at Celtic and there were suggestions he couldn't handle
playing at a big club but I am not sure about that. I just don't think he
got the opportunities. He played in a fairly average Celtic team and now his
confidence his sky-high and his movement his excellent. He looks to have
more pace and he will be a real handful for Chelsea.
This is a tough test for Chelsea. They have played some good football and
have energy in attack, but the problems they have are the defence and also
scoring goals.
Kurt Zouma doesn't seem to be the answer in defence. Antonio Rudiger will
improve things when he returns but they haven't settled and look vulnerable.
The full-backs are getting opened up.
Will Tammy Abraham get time up front? Or what about Olivier Giroud and Michy
Batshuayi? I think it will be a difficult season for Chelsea.
Frank Lampard will be desperate to get a win but I think this will be a
high-scoring draw.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
top