Norwich V Chelsea – Saturday, 21 January 2012 (LIVE on SKY SPORTS)

Norwich V Chelsea

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 21 January 2012 – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Carrow Road

Preview

Enjoying their best run of form for well over a month, title chasing Chelsea go to Norwich bidding to secure their fourth win in a row – three in the league, one in the FA Cup – that would see them reduce their arrears on long-time leaders Manchester City, who aren’t in action till the Sunday when they host title rivals Tottenham.

With their rivals coming a cropper of late, Chelsea have been able to put some meaningful breathing space between themselves and those hot on their heels below. The Blues are now four points clear of Arsenal in fifth, which means Andre Villas-Boas’ charges can focus solely on climbing the table and mounting a serious charge on the summit, instead of fearing who could leapfrog them should they come unstuck.

Come unstuck they might, as Norwich have proved on numerous occasions that they are certainly no pushovers. Despite this being their first stint at top flight football for six years, the Canaries have surprisingly held their own – they sit ninth after 21 games, eleven points clear of the relegation places, and have already established a reputation for goals.

Norwich also gave United a run for their money at Old Trafford, eventually losing 2-0 despite creating several gilt-edged chances with the score still deadlocked, but did manage to hold Liverpool at Anfield to a 1-1 draw.

It is remarkable to think that Paul Lambert’s men are still to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season. It also gives us a fair indication as to their style of football, which is open and expansive to say the very least. Only those positioned in the bottom-five have shipped more goals (36), although Norwich (32) have plundered more than Liverpool (24) and just eight fewer than high-flying Chelsea.

Should be a thoroughly entertaining affair then, with goals almost guaranteed by the looks of it. There were four when the two teams locked horns at Stamford Bridge in August, although the majority of those were netted by the hosts, Chelsea, who eventually won the contest 3-1, but not before Norwich had their goalkeeper, John Ruddy, sent off with the score at 1-1 in the 80TH minute.

There was little between them when all 22 players were on the pitch – if anything, Norwich looked the likelier winner – so this may not be a straightforward encounter for the visitors, who are odds-on favourites to record their sixth consecutive victory over Norwich in all competitions even though they’ve been winning of late without playing at all well.

Match Pointers

- Chelsea are on a five-match winning streak versus Norwich, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge back in August – though the Canaries were reduced to ten-men in the 80th minute with the score at 1-1.

- Norwich haven’t recorded a win over Chelsea, in any competition, for eighteen-years, since a 3-0 victory at Carrow Road in December 1994.

- Hosts Norwich sit 9TH in the Premier League (W7 D7 L7), eleven points clear of the relegation zone after back-to-back away wins over QPR (1-2) and West Brom (1-2).

- The Canaries have been beaten by London opposition at home twice this season, losing 2-1 to Arsenal and 2-0 to Tottenham.

- Chelsea (W12 D4 L5) are up to fourth after back-to-back league wins over Wolves (1-2) and Sunderland (1-0).

- Andre Villas-Boas’ side have lost just two of ten away Premier League matches this season (W5 D3 L2), and none of their last five, winning three.

Betting

Prediction: Chelsea to WIN @ 8/13 PaddyPower

They say it’s a sign of a successful team when they’re winning matches without playing to their full potential or ability. Chelsea are world beaters then, as they struggled against Championship opposition recently in the FA Cup, edging past Portsmouth despite a flattering 4-1 score, while last week saw them torn to shreds at home by Sunderland. Villas-Boas & Co just so happened to win that too, although I have no idea how.

From a defensive point of view, Chelsea still scare the living daylights out of me. Sunderland made a mockery of their back-line at Stamford Bridge, creating glorious openings with consummate ease. Now, Sunderland aren’t renowned for their attacking or scoring prowess; Norwich are, and they won’t hold back at home, in front of a lively Carrow Road packed to the rafters, in testing this unconvincing rearguard that has conceded an uncharacteristic 25 goals in 21 league games so far this season.

London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham have gone to Norwich and won this season, the latter with ease, so the omens are good for West Londoners Chelsea. I can see Andre Villas-Boas celebrating another maximum haul, especially as Fernando Torres appears on the cusp of another ‘second-coming’, but they’re unlikely to have things all their own way.

Value Bet: Over 3.5 Goals @ 13/8 SkyBet

Norwich are set up in such a way that goals are inevitable, whether it be them converting of the opponent. They’ll enjoy playing against this Chelsea defence – anyone would – but every time they pile numbers forward they leave themselves exposed to the counter, which is where the visitors should enjoy plenty of success.

Match Odds

Norwich – 5/1 Ladbrokes

Draw – 3/1 Bet365

Chelsea – 8/13 PaddyPower