By: Fasika Zelealem
Chelsea Odds Against Norwich for July 14th
A second defeat in four games for Chelsea had the potential to derail their UEFA Champions League aspirations.
Chelsea fell 3-0 to Sheffield United and was in danger of being overtaken by Manchester United, should they win their game in hand against Southampton on Monday night.
However, Chelsea was dealt a lifeline after Michael Obafemi’s 94th-minute equalizer secured a point for Southampton as they drew 2-2 with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
United remain fifth due to the draw as Chelsea stay third, just a point ahead of fourth-placed Leicester City and Manchester United.
Chelsea’s home game against the already relegated Norwich is as close to a sure thing as one could be. Chelsea has everything to play for at this stage of the season. Not only have they already secured the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech in which the latter has already started training with the team, but they are interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz.
The highly-rated talent according to reports, wants to leave the German club due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League which makes it incredibly important for Chelsea to qualify if they want to land one of Germany’s biggest talents and to pair him with his compatriot in Timo Werner.
Norwich on the other hand is headed back to the Sky Bet Championship after just one season in the Premier League.
A disastrous 4-0 home loss to West Ham United where Michail Antonio scored all four goals; the only West Ham player to score four goals in one game in Premier League history, secured Norwich’s return to the second tier of English football.
Despite some high moments including a 3-2 win over then-champions Manchester City earlier in the season, it’s been a disaster for The Canaries.
Chelsea Odds Against a Disastrous Canaries Club
They’ve won a league-low five games, scored a league-low 26 goals and have conceded a league-high 67 goals. It’s going to be a difficult summer for Norwich as they have a lot of young talent who could be looking to leave the club after a taste of Premier League action.
The likes of Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, Todd Cantwell, and Emiliano Buendia will be chased by top teams in the league and it’s unclear whether Norwich will be able to keep hold of their young stars.
Norwich has lost their last seven games, scoring just one goal in the process. Their last win against Chelsea came back in 1994 and have lost five of their last six league meetings, dating back to 2012.
Sportsbooks odds on a Chelsea home win open at -800. Odds on an unlikely Norwich away win (they’ve won just once away from home this season) open at +1600. Odds on a tie open at +850.
Is This a Successful Season for Chelsea?
The unbelievable job Jurgen Klopp has done at Liverpool season has overtaken some impressive managerial jobs that has been on display this season. Chris Wilder and Nuno Espirito Santos of Sheffield United and Wolves, respectively have done a great job with their teams as they look on course for European football.
Frank Lampard is another. With a transfer ban in his first two transfer windows as manager as well as managing the loss of Eden Hazard, not much was expected of Chelsea.
However, he has them third with three games remaining and in an FA Cup semi-final knocking out Liverpool and Leicester City in the process.
With Ziyech and Werner’s full impact coming next season as well as potential other signings, Chelsea looks to be a threat for years, and with everything they’ve had to deal with this season, they’ve been an impressive outfit and Champions League qualification will be the cherry on the cake.
