CHELSEA V CITY PREVIEW

A look ahead to Saturday's match

EUROPEAN champions Chelsea are the opposition for Chris Hughton’s side on Saturday as the Canaries go in search of a result in the Barclays Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side go into the clash on the back of successful midweek Champions League exploits against Nordsjaelland, whilst Hughton will be hoping for a response from his side following a home defeat to Liverpool.

Top-of-the-table Chelsea will undoubtedly provide one of the toughest tests of the season when the Canaries walk out onto the pitch, but City did take a point off the Blues at Carrow Road last season, and performed well with 10-men in a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge last August.

Kick-off is at 3pm, and you can listen live to the action through Canaries Player, as well as following live updates on Canaries.co.uk, and through our official Twitter (@NorwichCityFC) and Facebook pages.

- To see Chris Hughton's pre-match press conference click here
- To read Chris Hughton's match previewclick here

TEAM NEWS

CITY: The fitness of duo Sebastien Bassong (hamstring) and Anthony Pilkington (back) are currently being assessed ahead of the fixture, however Pilkington did join in with training on Thursday. Steven Whittaker (ankle) is thought to be still unavailable as he continues his recovery, along with Simon Lappin (ankle). Meanwhile striker Harry Kane has undergone surgery on a foot injury.

CHELSEA: Striker Daniel Sturridge is thought to be a doubt with a hamstring injury, but could yet recover in time for the fixture on Saturday.

LAST LINE UPS:

Nordsjaelland v CHELSEA

Petr CECH,

Branislav IVANOVIC,

Ashley COLE,

David LUIZ,

Gary CAHILL,

RAMIRES.

Frank LAMPARD,

OSCAR,

Fernando TORRES,

Juan MATA,

Victor MOSES

CITY v Liverpool

John RUDDY,

Javier GARRIDO,

Michael TURNER,

Leon BARNETT,

Russell MARTIN,

Andrew SURMAN,

Jonny HOWSON,

Bradley JOHNSON,

Robert SNODGRASS,

Simeon JACKSON,

Steve MORISON

Roberto Di Matteo MANAGER:

After guiding the London side to a sensational Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, the former Chelsea player was appointed full-time manager on June 13, 2012. Having previously managed West Bromwich Albion, Di Matteo arrived back at Stamford Bridge as assistant to Andre Villas Boas, and took the team on a caretaker basis following the dismissal of the Portuguese.

Eden Hazard ONE-TO-WATCH:

Signed for a reported £32M during the summer, 21-year-old Belgian international Hazard has proved a hit so far in the top-flight, and netted his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Newcastle in August. An attack-minded midfielder, Hazard is known for his creativity and speed in the final third, so is certainly a player the Canaries will need to keep tabs on come Saturday.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

**Chelsea v Norwich City**
	Chelsea wins	Draws	Norwich City wins
League	11	11	12
FA Cup	4	2	0
League Cup	1	0	2
Total	16	13	14

City have the edge on Chelsea in terms of all-time wins in the league, winning 12 to the Blues’ 11. However the Canaries haven’t won against Chelsea in their last seven attempts the – the last victory being an impressive 3-0 romp courtesy of an Ashley Ward brace and a Jamie Cureton strike. The last time City won at Stamford Bridge was in September 1992 – Mark Robins (2) and David Phillips helping City recover from 2-0 down at half time to win 3-2.

Top league scorers

CITY: Simeon Jackson, Robert Snodgrass, Steven Morison, Grant Holt – One league goal

CHELSEA: Fernando Torres – Three league goals

Most league starts

CITY: John Ruddy, Jonny Howson, Bradley Johnson, Russell Martin, Robert Snodgrass – Six league starts

CHELSEA: Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Eden Hazard, Branislav Ivanovic, John Obi Mikel, Fernando Torres – Six league starts

Anthony TaylorREFEREE:

Referee Anthony Taylor will take charge of a Norwich City match for the first time since last season’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The 33-year-old Manchester-based referee has sent off one player so far this season – Swansea’s Nathan Dyer in their 3-0 defeat at home to Everton. City’s Jonny Howson was one of three players sent off by Taylor in Leeds’ 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough last August.

Club News