Chelsea are back in the top four after a stuttering start to the campaign and a victory at Burnley on Saturday could catapult the Londoners to second place behind Liverpool if other results go their way.
Sean Dyche’s team have looked a different side from the Burnley side that struggled last term, with the home side coming into game week 10 in an excellent 8th position.
However, Burnley’s four match unbeaten run came to a halt last weekend as Leicester came from a goal behind to win 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
Against Chelsea, things can get a lot worse as the Blues are on a fantastic run of form right now. Frank Lampard’s men ground out a narrow 1-0 win away to Ajax in midweek to extend their winning streak to six competitive games, and away from home their form is just as good.
Frank Lampard’s men have won their last five competitive away games and scored 15 goals in the process, and their only defeat remains that 4-0 humbling at Old Trafford in August.
Tammy Abraham should return as Chelsea’s main man despite only watching from the sidelines as his replacement, Mitchy Batshuayi, scored the winner for the Pensioners at Ajax. But having scored 8 league goals so far this season, he still should retain the trust of the manager as Chelsea hunt for maximum points at Turf Moor.
Team News
Burnley
Ashley Barnes missed out against Leicester last weekend with a groin injury and Sean Dyche will be desperate to have his main striker back here.
A shoulder injury has kept Jack Cork sidelined for most of the month but Dyche revealed last weekend there is a good chance he will return to face his boyhood club on Sunday.
Danny Drinkwater cannot play against his parent club due to the terms in his loan agreement but is injured anyway. Johann Gudmundsson is also sidelined for the Clarets.
Dwight McNeil will hope to reclaim his starting spot against Chelsea after Robbie Brady was surprisingly given the nod last weekend.
Chelsea
Neither N’Golo Kante nor Antonio Rudiger were considered fit enough to take part in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Ajax on Wednesday night and remain out here.
Christian Pulisic has made an important contribution off the bench in Chelsea’s last two matches and could make his first league start for the club here since the end of August.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is still getting back into the swing of things since returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered against Burnley in April and could make way for Pulisic here.
Michy Batshuayi has scored from the bench in his last two Chelsea’s appearances and will hope to put pressure on Tammy Abraham up front.
Emerson was back on the bench in midweek but Marcos Alonso has played well in recent games and the Brazilian is not guaranteed his starting spot back straight away.
Reece James will hope to benefit from any rotation at right-back but, like Alonso, César Azpilicueta is coming off a solid performance.
Match Facts
Chelsea have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 away matches (Premier League).
Burnley have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Chelsea in all competitions.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea’s last 4 away games (Premier League).
Chelsea have won their last 3 away matches (Premier League).
Chelsea have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Burnley in all competitions.
Chelsea are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches against Burnley in all competitions.
Prediction
Chelsea have won their last five matches away to Burnley, hence Frank Lampard’s side are deserved favourites but they can expect a tough match at Turf Moor as ever.
Tip: (Chelsea Win or Draw and Over 1.5 Goals)
*Match Facts provided by whoscored.com.
