Chelsea will square off against Norwich City on Thursday evening looking to further strengthen their hold of third position in the Premier League standings.
While the Blues head to Carrow Road possessing a three-match winning streak in the top flight, bottom-placed Norwich have lost four games in succession.
Even the most optimistic of Chelsea fans will accept that they are no longer involved in the Premier League title race, the current gap to leaders Manchester City being 16 points with two matches in hand.
Nevertheless, the Blues have been required to put together a three-match winning streak to reaffirm their hold of third spot, moving six points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United having played two games fewer.
Thomas Tuchel witnessed his team post a 4-0 victory at Burnley on Saturday, recording their third successive league clean sheet in the process, with Kai Havertz making it four goals from five games in all competitions.
With a hectic schedule in front of them ahead of the upcoming international break, Tuchel may be prepared to rotate his squad on Thursday, but most of his players can claim to be match-fit given the fixtures which have recently been played in various competitions.
Chelsea ran out 7-0 victors in the reverse game back in October, Mason Mount netting a hat-trick, and the West Londoners are currently on an 18-match unbeaten streak against their upcoming opponents.
From Norwich’s perspective, welcoming the European and world champions to Carrow Road has come at the wrong time with five defeats having been registered in a row.
While the Canaries had been outsiders in the first four of those games, they were favourites to see off Brentford last weekend, only to succumb to a 3-1 defeat in front of their own supporters.
Not only has it allowed the Bees to move clear of the relegation zone, Norwich are five points adrift of safety having played at least one more game than some of their rivals.
Dean Smith is aware that the triple-header after Thursday’s contest could prove pivotal with Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley all coming in succession.
However, Norwich need to build confidence ahead of those fixtures, the pressure being on to deliver one of their best performances of the campaign against a team on a high, despite the ongoing situation regarding Roman Abramovich’s sale of the club.
Norwich City Premier League form:
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Norwich City form (all competitions):
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Chelsea Premier League form:
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We say: Norwich City 0-2 Chelsea
With Norwich looking to respond to the manner of the Brentford defeat, we feel that this fixture could be much closer than many anticipate. Nevertheless, the Blues should still run out convincing victors at Carrow Road, perhaps scoring a goal in either half.