The last time Chelsea lost four EPL matches in a row was March 1998. That year the club would go on to lose 15 matches but still managed to win a pair of trophies – the League Cup and UEFA Winners’ Cup.
With Chelsea already eliminated from the Capital One Cup, a fourth loss in a row will put any English silverware only further out of reach.
Look for manager Jose Mourinho to field his most historically-reliable group of players – even if it means taking several off the bench – to ensure that Chelsea take down a gritty Norwich City team.
Here is the Chelsea predicted XI for their Matchday 13 showdown with Norwich City:
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GK Asmir Begovic
With no better options as Courtois remains on the shelf, Begovic keeps his job.
DF Branislav Ivanovic
Ivanovic may have only one shot left to prove he can still play for Chelsea at a high-enough level to stay.
DF John Terry
Terry gets back into the lineup – and into his groove against Norwich City.
DF Kurt Zouma
One of the lone bright spots on the defence, Zouma works right alongside Terry this weekend.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta
Mourinho hasn’t gone a game without starting Cesar this year and he won’t start now.
MF Cesc Fabregas
Hoping to get a spark from midfield, Fabregas gets the nod instead of a seat on the bench.
MF Oscar
The Brazilian star has held his own this season and maintains his spot at midfield.
MF Nemanja Matic
The oft-carded Matic gets Mourinho’s forgiveness for his prior blunders and starts against Norwich.
MF Eden Hazard
Hazard finally gets out of Mourinho’s doghouse and onto the pitch.
MF Willian
Willian has been the team’s most consistent player for ten weeks.
FW Diego Costa
Mourinho decides to give Costa a chance to take out his aggression on Norwich City’s porous defence early and often.