Burnley v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Burnley faces Chelsea The Clarets got their first league victory of the season in midweek and face a Blues side who have lost five of their last eight away matches. Mauricio Pochettino’s side got a rare league win on Monday and will hope to make it three victories on the bounce in all competitions.

Burnley Form

Vincent Kompany’s side are slowly adjusting to life in the top-flight. Their first three league matches saw three losses and 11 goals conceded in an unkind set of fixtures. A 3-0 home loss to Man City preceded a 3-1 loss at Turf Moor to Aston Villa. They were then thrashed 5-2 at home by Tottenham having led 1-0.

There has been an improvement in performances of late. They played well in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest before a strong home display against Man Utd, though they lost 1-0 in the end. After being outclassed 2-0 at St. James’ Park, they got their first win in midweek. Burnley went to Luton and won 2-1 thanks to an 85th-minute winner, right after conceding an equaliser.

Burnley Team News

There are a fair number of injuries for Burnley to deal with. Wingers Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Manuel Benson are ruled out, as is experienced forward Nathan Redmond. After his winner from the bench vs. Luton, Jacob Bruun Larsen is pushing for a start down the right wing.

Striker Michael Obafemi is absent after hamstring surgery and attacking midfielder Aaron Ramsey took a late knock at Luton and is doubtful. Central defender Jalmar Ekdal is nearing a return from injury but this one may come too soon.

Burnley Motivation

As against Man Utd, Burnley will look to play on the front foot here. They will see Chelsea as having fragile confidence and will fancy a win in this match.

A draw would also be a decent result and Kompany could settle for one in the second half. A point is something to build on after the win in midweek.

Chelsea Form

It’s been a poor start to the season for Chelsea but things are slowly looking more positive. Their last two matches have seen a 1-0 home win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup and a 2-0 win at Fulham on Monday in the league. The latter victory was just their second three-point haul in the last 11 Premier League matches.

Before that, it was one league win all season and even that was against struggling Luton Town, 3-0 at home. The early rounds saw a 3-2 loss at ten-man West Ham after a poor second half and a 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest. Having drawn 0-0 at Bournemouth, they were beaten 1-0 at home by Aston Villa after a red card for Malo Gusto in the second half.

Chelsea Team News

Mauricio Pochettino remains without Malo Gusto due to suspension and Ben Chilwell due to injury. Reece James is nearing a return in defence but Marc Cucurella may deputise at right-back once again. Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah are doubtful.

In attack, Nicolas Jackson is back from suspension and is expected to get the nod over Armando Broja. Raheem Sterling will start after an illness only allowed him to feature from the bench at Fulham. Mykhailo Mudryk is a doubt with a quad injury, which should mean another start for Cole Palmer.

Chelsea Motivation

Pochettino’s side will be desperate to make it three wins in a row. The coach himself has had a poor away record in the Premier League and will want to add another three points.

A draw here would be a bad result. It would leave a bitter taste in the mouth going into a two-week FIFA break.

Key Stats

Burnley have lost all 4 of their home league matches this season (12 goals conceded)

Burnley have failed to score in 2 of their last 3 matches

Burnley have lost their last 5 home matches vs Chelsea (17-2 aggregate)

Chelsea have scored in just one of their last 4 league matches

Chelsea have won 2 of their last 11 Premier League matches

Chelsea have lost 5 of their last 8 away EPL matches

Verdict

This should be a good game with little to separate the sides. It feels like Chelsea may be turning a corner and their forwards are slowly starting to find scoring form. Another away win may be the best bet here.