2:00PM BST 05 Oct 2012
Saturday, October 6
Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights BBC1 Match of the Day.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Mikel;
Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres.
Out: Sturridge (hamstring).
Norwich (Probable, 4-4-2): Ruddy; R Martin, Barnett, Bassong, Garrido;
Snodgrass, Howson, Johnson, Surman; Holt, Jackson.
Out: Whittaker (ankle), Kane (broken foot), Lappin (ankle).
Tests: Bassong (hamstring), Pilkington (back).
Referee: Anthony Taylor. Matches: 4, R1 Y8.
Team News
Chelsea are once again without Daniel Sturridge against Norwich.
Sturridge has missed the last five matches with a hamstring injury but is expected to be fit after the international break.
Manager Roberto Di Matteo must decide once again which players to recall and which to rest at Stamford Bridge following the 4-0 win over Nordsjaelland on Tuesday.
Norwich, meanwhile, could have centre-back Sebastien Bassong back from a hamstring problem at Chelsea.
Winger Anthony Pilkington (back) has returned to training and could be in contention.
Full-back Steven Whittaker (ankle) continues his rehabilitation, while on-loan Tottenham striker Harry Kane is sidelined by a broken metatarsal.
Match Notes
Little evidence to suggest anything other than a home win.
Chelsea are unbeaten so far, with 16 points from a possible 18, their best start since 2009-10 when they last won the title.
They have conceded only three league goals.
By contrast, Norwich have yet to win in the league, with only one win in 11 PL games, and have made their worst-ever start in the top flight with only three points from six games.
Betting: Home 1-4, Away 10-1, Draw 5-1.
Stat of the game: Norwich last won at Chelsea in the Premier League in October 1993, 19 years ago.
Gerry Cox’s prediction: Chelsea 3 Norwich City 1.
