Liverpool’s 4-3 triumph over Manchester City and Manchester United’s 3-0 hammering of Stoke City has left Chelsea down in the fourth position after game week 23. Antonio Conte’s men suffered their third straight, 0-0 draw at the Bridge over the weekend against Leicester City in all competitions, an unwanted record for the Blues. They are now standing fourth having collected 47 points, the same as Liverpool but behind the Reds on goal difference.
Things get direr for Conte’s men with the Blues having three upcoming fixtures in the next 7 days. One fixture involves a visit to the Emirates to face Arsenal in the second round of the Carabao Cup semi-final clash. The other is a league visit to Brighton over the weekend. The third one is perhaps the unnecessary one and one which Chelsea will want to get done with, the FA Cup 3rd round replay against Norwich City after failing to dispatch the Canaries earlier this month. Conte has now confirmed that he indeed plans on rotating his players for this match against Championship side Norwich City.
The Blues failed to get the job done while visiting Norwich a few days ago and have now been scheduled with an extra game to play in this already jammed up fixture list. Conte reasoned that his men were suffering from fatigue and that was the reason for their insipid displays in the last few days.
Conte’s men are favourites with the latest football betting offers 2018 and will hope to turn things around in the match against Norwich at home, a tie Chelsea, no matter how tired they are, will be expected to win. Conte will want to use this tie as a platform to boost his team with a comprehensive win and help his team return to the scoring ways.
With the race for the top four in the league heating up, Conte can use this fixture as the perfect confidence booster to get his men back on track and make charge going into the second half of the season. Here is how he is expected to line up the Blues for the match.
Formation: 3-4-3
Defence
Willy Caballero is expected to replace Thibaut Courtois in goal for the match against Norwich City. In defence, Cahill who walked out the last time holding his hamstring might be given some rest and the defensive trio for the fixture will be led by Cesar Azpilicueta with David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger following command. The right wing back is expected to be Davide Zappacosta with Kenedy expected to play at left wing-back.
Midfield
N’Golo Kante is expected to be given a rest with young Ethan Ampadu expected to play the match alongside Danny Drinkwater in midfield. Ross Barkley is ineligible to play for his late signing while Cesc Fabregas recovers from a hamstring injury.
Attack
Willian is expected to be the left winger with Michy Batshuayi expected to lead the line while Pedro might be seen on the right.
