Chelsea, on the back of six straight wins for games ending in 90 minutes, welcome Burnley to the Stamford Bridge Stadium looking to stretch their lead at the top of the standings in the English top-flight.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
A really good weekend of games for Chelsea as chasers take on one another and any result will be in the favour of the Thomas Tuchel side, as it is either half of the other top four teams lose ground or all the four do, depending on the outcome of their meetings.
The Blues of London are the favourites against Burnley, who were just able to record their first league win of the season last time out against newly Brentford. Although it was a much improved performance from the Sean Dyche men, it is no sign of any upset against the league leaders.
Head To Head
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven games against the visitors, wining six, while also coming out victorious in each of the last three without conceding a goal.
However, the last time Burnley win a game against Chelsea was at Stamford Bridge, going 3-0 up at half time when Chelsea had a man sent off in the opening exchanges. Chelsea, then tutored by Antoinie Conte did tried to stage a comeback and scored two second half goals but it was not to be as Burnley did just enough for all the points.
That was Burnley’s only win in 12 games against Chelsea, in a run which they have lost eight.
Interesting Battles
– Chelsea defence against Burnley’s long balls will be a good contest to watch out for. Although in recent meetings, the host have kept a good defensive record against Burnley and the current form of the defence could also mean a good day at the office for them.
– Maxwel Cornet: The Ivorian is a star to watch in the Premier league this season. His start to life at has been quite consummate with his four goals in four league starts testament of his showings. A really good bargain for The Clarets on a long term, it will be interesting to see how he fares against a solid Chelsea backline.
– Kai Havertz is another man to watch as he will be expected to lead the line for the host in the absence of their attackers. The German has just one league goal this season but that is no cause for alarm for a Chelsea side that has 17 different Goalscorer across all competitions this term.
However for the player, it is another rare opportunity to make good numbers in the position before the eventual return of the main strikers.
– All of Chelsea players are to be watchout for as it could be any of them that decides the game. Full backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell have seven league goals between them so far, and no Chelsea player has scored more goals than them this season.
Injury Updates
Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner continue recoveries from their respective injuries and this will be another game that come too soon for them. Matteo Kovacic has also missed the last two games and he is not expected to return until later this month.
Mason Mount missed the last two games due to illness but the Midfielder is expected to be back for this weekend’s game and will be a huge relief for Thomas Tuchel, as his side’s cheif creator is back for selection.
Christian Pulisic made his comeback from injury as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Malmo in Sweden and will be another option for Chelsea in attack.
Burnley have no serious injury concern as only Dale Stephens, who hasn’t made an appearance this season is on the sideline, expected to be back later this month.
Score prediction
A Chelsea win is the probable result but by how many margin could be the only uncertainty. A Chelsea clean sheet is also very predictable so the host could just repeat the same score-line they managed last weekend at the Saint James’, a 3-0 win.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea: Mendy, Chilwell, Rudiger, Christensen, Thiago Silva, Reece James, Jorginho, Kanté, Mount, Calum Hudson-Odoi, Kai Havertz.
Burnley: Pope, Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton, McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Gudmundsson, Cornet, Wood.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
