English Premier
2012-01-21 - Norwich City vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 21 January 2012 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Norwich City
Paul Lambert and his side continue defy all the expectations from the beginning of the season when Norwich City were considered one of the favourites for relegation. They have had a very positive first half of the season and are over half way to getting to the magical 40 point mark that usually is required to maintain Premier League status.
The Canaries are 9th in the Premier League and they have gained 28 points from their first 21 League games, a tally that most of their fans would have been very happy with last August. Norwich are 4-3-3 at Carrow Road this season, scoring 17 goals but also conceding 15.
The team have only lost 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions, that coming in a home game against Tottenham Hotspur at the end of December. They are playing with plenty of confidence that comes with winning 3 consecutive games in a row and they will fancy their chances of causing a surprise in this game. Norwich have lost 1 of their last 5 home games in all competitions, but they are yet to keep a clean sheet all season.
Marc Tierney is a doubt for this game and will need a late fitness test, while Ritchie de Laet has returned to Manchester United 5 months early.
Chelsea
Rumours are flying in the papers that Chelsea are ready to make some big splashes in the January transfer window after completing the signing of Gary Cahill from Bolton Wanderers. While it is considered to be a transitional season at Stamford Bridge, Andre Villa-Boas is still under pressure to ensure the Blues are competing in the Champions League next season.
That pressure has come about as Liverpool, Newcastle United and Arsenal are all challenging Chelsea for the 4th place they currently occupy. This is a big weekend for the team as the other sides in the top 5 play one another and Chelsea could close the gap to the 3 teams above them while extending away from Arsenal in 5th. Chelsea are 5-3-2 away from home this season, scoring 16 goals and conceding 9 and could go 7 points clear of 5th placed Arsenal with a win on Saturday.
After a surprise 1-3 loss to Aston Villa in the League, Chelsea have bounced back with 3 consecutive wins, 2 of those coming in the Premier League. Before these 3 wins, Chelsea had failed to win in 4 consecutive games in the League. The Blues are unbeaten in their last 5 away games in the League, winning 3 of those.
Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba are both away at the African Cup of Nations, while Gary Cahill could make his debut for the club. Michael Essien and Branislav Ivanovic are both available for selection.
Head to Head
Chelsea were a little fortunate to beat Norwich City 3-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season but this will be their first game at Carrow Road in 7 seasons.
The Blues won on their last visit to this ground, although they had failed to win in 4 previous games at Carrow Road.
Prediction
I think this game could be a very very tough day in the office for a Chelsea side that have not really reached the standards expected of them in recent weeks.
Norwich City are a very positive team and they will be ably backed by a passionate home crowd that have been entertained by some very good performances this season. In saying that, Norwich have come up short when facing the very best sides in the League here, losing to both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea have struggled for goals on their travels, while potentially bedding in a new centre half in Gary Cahill could be problematic against an attack consisting of big centre forwards like Steve Morison and Grant Holt.
I actually tipped Chelsea to drop a couple of points at Wolves at the beginning of the month, and I am going to do that again here. I am not sure Norwich will do enough to win the game, so the 4.00 on offer for a share of the spoils looks tempting enough to me.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Norwich City 1-1 Chelsea
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Draw @ 4.00
