Chelsea will face Norwich City in the third round of FA Cup on Saturday. It should be a cakewalk for the Blues as Norwich City is a second tier team playing in Championship this season. Both the teams will be keen to get a win in this match to ensure qualification in the next round of this prestigious tournament. Antonio Conte might opt to field a second string side against a relatively weaker side Norwich City as the set of tough fixtures are coming in the way of Chelsea in next few weeks ahead.
Meanwhile the previous season’s Premier League Champions have bought their first senior signing of the January Window, Ross Barkley from the Merseyside. A amount of £15m confirmed the 24-year-old midfielder to sign a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge. This move was inevitable but delayed due to Ross’ hamstring injury. But his recovery helped Conte to complete the deal, who was a six months guest at Everton.
Barkley was given the No 8 shirt at Stamford Bridge previously owned by Lampard and Oscar, who had 21 goals in 150 Premier League appearances.After Frank Lampard, Chelsea hasn’t got any potential attacking midfielder who can arrive late in the box, and help the forwards out by contributing 10+ goals a season. N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater have scored just five goals between them so far in the Premier League. Barkley scored five goals and eight assists in 32 appearances last season. So he would be a strong addition to the attacking half in their 3-5-2 formation.
Team News :
Norwich City :
Gunn will start in the Goal of Norwich City against Chelsea while Lewis,Klose, Hanley and Pinto will be there in the defense for them. Trybull and Tettey will be there as defensive midfielders while Pritchard, Maddison and Murphy will be there as attacking midfielders for Norwich City. Nelson Oliveira will be there as the lone forward for Norwich City against Chelsea.
Chelsea :
Andreas Christensen will be available for Chelsea after missing the previous match. David Luiz is also available after coming back from his knee injury. Thibaut Courtois will start in Chelsea Goal while Christensen, Azpilicueta and Rudiger might start for Chelsea in three man central defense while Moses and Alonso will be there at two flanks for Chelsea. Kante and Fabregas will be there in the midfield for Chelsea. Pedro, Morata and Hazard will be there upfront for Chelsea against Norwich City.
Key Players In The Game:
The combination of Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard will prove to be pivotal for the Blues in this match. Morata is in great form and his scoring in this match will be a key to success for Chelsea. On the other hand, Nelson Oliveira, the experienced striker will be the key player for Stoke City.
Possible Starting Eleven :
Norwich City :(4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper : Gunn
Defenders : Lewis,Klose, Hanley, Pinto.
Midfielders : Trybull, Tettey; Pritchard, Maddison, Murphy.
Attackers : Oliveira.
Chelsea :(3-4-3)
Goalkeeper : Courtois
Defenders : Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger.
Midfielders : Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso
Attackers : Pedro, Hazard, Morata.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Norwich City 0-2 Chelsea.
