Classy Chelsea too good to fall for yellow peril
The Blues and Norwich are destined for differing battles at either ends of the table and John Baines believes that gap in class will tell at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Top of the Premier League, top of their Champions League group and aside from the John Terry issue and an already-infamous tweet from a certain Ashley Cole, this seems to be one of those harmonious periods when all appears to be rosy for Chelsea.
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They passed their first serious title test away to Arsenal last weekend with flying colours and followed that up with an eventually comfortable 4-0 win against Danish minnows Nordsjaelland in midweek.
Roberto Di Matteo also seems to have found a way to cram his brethren of midget midfielders into a formation which serves Fernando Torres and as if things couldn’t get any better, Norwich City arrive at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Canaries are without a league win all season and looked a side set for a serious relegation scrap in their 5-2 home drumming by Liverpool last time out.
| Premier League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea win | £33.00 | (13/20) | ||
| Draw | £75.00 | (11/4) | ||
| Everton win | £100.00 | (4/1) | ||
| Chelsea | 0-0 | Everton | £200.00 | (9/1) |
| Chelsea | 1-0 | Everton | £160.00 | (7/1) |
| Chelsea | 1-1 | Everton | £140.00 | (6/1) |
Chris Hughton’s men have already shipped five goals in this part of the capital against Fulham on the opening day and those travelling from Norfolk will find this game about as appealing as one of Delia’s half-time interludes.
The bwin bookmakers are in no doubt as to who will win this one, with Chelsea huge 11/50 favourites, the draw at 5/1 and Norwich way adrift at 11/1, and I’m in no way going to disagree with that assessment.
Chris Hughton’s men have already shipped five goals in this part of the capital against Fulham on the opening day and those travelling from Norfolk will find this game about as appealing as one of Delia’s half-time interludes.
Barring an impressive showing at the Emirates, I’ve yet to be fully convinced by the Blues so far, but given the changes in personnel over the summer, a three-point lead at the summit of the table at this juncture is still above par and I fully expect them to head into the international break with that gap at least intact come 5pm on Saturday evening.
Without the need for an Andre Villas-Boas-style 89-page dossier on each side’s strengths and weaknesses, Chelsea are by far the better of the two teams and Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and company should run rings round a Canaries side who are singing like they’ve been trapped in a gas-filled mine for too long.
Atletico Madrid and Juventus have notably been able to get at the Blues’ backline this campaign but domestically it’s four clean sheets in six games and Chelsea are 19/20 to win to nil or alternatively, the hosts to win 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 in the multiple correct score market – which is one of my favourites – looks great value at 8/5.
Such are the odds stacked in the European champions’ favour that you’ll be hard pressed to find much else above evens. Chelsea to win with a 1-0 handicap is still 3/5 and the Blues to prevail in a game with over 2.5 goals is only 13/20. Even Chelsea to win both halves is a miserly 5/4, which makes my punt on the 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 victory look very overpriced.
New customers who register with bwin are entitled to a free £20 bet and putting that on Chelsea to win by one of those three scorelines will return you £52 if successful.
Unfortunately, I cannot offer much encouragement to Norwich fans. But if you reckon they’ll avoid a tonking, get on the visitors to win with a 2-0 headstart at 23/2, or if you’re ultra-confident, the Canaries to avoid defeat is 31/10.
As per usual, I will finish with a browse of the goalscorers market and I’ve got a funny feeling that Monsieur Hazard might get in on the act this weekend. The Belgian ace has only found the net once since his £32m move from Lille but has countenanced that with 632 assists.
If Chelsea turn the Canaries’ visit into a turkey-shoot, Hazard could be the chief hitman and 11/2 is a smart price on him opening the scoring, with in-form Juan Mata a fraction back at 6/1.
Recommended bet: Chelsea to beat Norwich 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 at 8/5
Outside punt: Eden Hazard to score first @ 11/2
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