The table-toppers Chelsea welcome the league’s new boys Norwich City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in what should be an easy outing for Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Tuchel and Co. have been upbeat in their showings early on this new season and on the back of a thumping 4-0 win over their Swedish opponents Malmo in the Champions League on Wednesday night, they will be considered strong favourites to claim the three points against Norwich.
Norwich City sit at the foot of the league table and will it difficult to cope with a high-flying Chelsea side who last turned out in league action against another of the newly-promoted teams in Brentford in what proved to be a much sterner test than usual for the Blues.
A wonder strike from Ben Chilwell was required to secure the three points for Chelsea with Tuchel’s forward lineup failing to hit the ground running as summer signing Romelu Lukaku invites criticism for his recent run of form in front of the goal.
Lukaku, however, will be in line to miss the weekend outing at home turf after the Belgian striker limped off the pitch in the midweek fixture against Malmo meaning Tuchel could be without his summer recruit who has not scored a goal across his last six outings.
Saturday’s visitors to Stamford Bridge Norwich City have picked up just two points from their games so far this league campaign and will be heavy underdogs when taking on one of the most formidable and in-form teams in England’s top flight.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – 22 October
Time – 2 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Romelu Lukaku’s addition to the injury list for Chelsea will come as a major setback for the Blues who have counted upon the Belgian to bail them out on the attacking front since his summer return.
Chelsea have another concern within their attacking ranks with Timo Werner also sustaining a hamstring issue and ruled out of the forthcoming game.
American international wide player Christian Pulisic remains on the recovery table and Tuchel is yet to sound out confirmation whether the former Dortmund man will be returning to the fold in time for the Norwich clash.
KEY BATTLE
Kai Havertz vs Timo Pukki
That one felt good to celebrate with the fans! pic.twitter.com/qVIWGVwSxe
— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) October 20, 2021
In the absence of Lukaku and Werner, Chelsea will rely on German forward Kai Havertz to bear the brunt of his side’s responsibilities in the final third of the pitch and make the most of an opportunity coming his way to lead the line.
For the visitors, it is Pukki who will be backed to make a difference and quite possibly tip the scale in his side’s favour despite Daniel Farke’s men facing a monumental task to leave Stamford Bridge with even a point in the bag.
PREDICTION
We strongly back Chelsea to claim a convincing win against an under-fire Norwich City side who are yet to secure their first win of the new Premier League season.
Chelsea 3-0 Norwich City
