Countdown to Chelsea

Rafa Benitez`s Blues come to Carrow Road unbeaten in 8 games against us, having won 6 of those. However we are in good form at home, having won the last 5 games in a row at Fortress Carrow Road.

In fact, the last time we conceded more than one goal at home in the league was September 29th against Liverpool - the only time that has happened this season.

Norwich's only win in the last 11 meetings with Chelsea was a 3-0 home victory in December 1994 when Ashley Ward and Jamie Cureton scored for the hosts.

Ones to watch:
Robert Snodgrass has scored more goals (3) from direct free-kicks than any other Premier League player this term. He has also scored 3 and assisted 2 in his last 5 league games

The Blues have only won one of their last four away games in the Premier League. However, rejuvenated Fernando Torres is in a rich vein of form, scoring 7 in December alone. A figure of much fun, Torres is actually 6th in the Premier League top scorers chart, with most of those coming recently.

Team news:
For Norwich, Steven Whittaker remains out with a knock sustained last time out, whilst Holt has hopefully recovered from his hamstring strain. For Chelsea, John Obi Mikel is available after suspension whilst Terry and Bertrand remain out. David Luiz is likely to start in midfield with either Lampard or Ramires.

City are 4 points better off than at the same stage from last season when they had 21 points from 18 games and were 11th in the table. A one-sided 2-0 defeat to Spurs on the 27th December was of little consequence, and it was the following away results at QPR and then West Brom that really helped push our season on. Similarly, upcoming games against West Ham and Newcastle are perhaps more important this time around than gaining points from this fixture. Anything on Boxing Day against the super-rich in-form European Champions is simply a bonus.