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Attendance: 20,975
Burnley logo
Premier League | Gameweek 10
Oct 26, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

2-4

Rodriguez (86'), McNeil (89')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Pulisic (21', 45', 56'), Willian (58')

Preview: Burnley vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Saturday's Premier League fixture between Burnley and Chelsea.

Chelsea make the trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley in the Premier League having put together a six-match winning streak in all competitions.

However, the Clarets have also enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, with Sean Dyche's side currently sitting in eighth position in the standings.


Burnley

Burnley boss Sean Dyche on September 21, 2019© Reuters

While Dyche would have been disappointed with last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, the Burnley boss will still be relatively pleased with how his side have started the season.

Just three defeats have been registered from nine outings, against teams in Arsenal, Liverpool and the Foxes who are all competing for a spot in the top six.

Burnley's primary objective is to avoid a relegation battle and before the setback at the King Power Stadium, Dyche witnessed his players pick up eight points from encounters versus Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City, Aston Villa and an out-of-form Everton.

Dyche would have placed high priority on those games, with Burnley able to benefit from taking points from teams considered to be their direct rivals, both in the short and long term.

That return has lifted any kind of pressure off the Clarets, who will be looking to produce the same level of performance which almost earned them a share of the spoils at Leicester.

While his debatable foul led to Burnley having what they had hoped to be a late equaliser chalked off, Chris Wood will be delighted with his current form having scored four times from the same number of appearances.

The New Zealand international's contribution has come at a time when the goals have dried up for strike partner Ashley Barnes, who had failed to score in five outings before missing out through injury last week.

Nevertheless, if, as expected, the pair are reunited this weekend, they each have the qualities to exploit the individual errors that are still being committed in the Chelsea backline.

Recent form: LDWDWL


Chelsea

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard applauds on October 6, 2019© Reuters

While Frank Lampard will continually reiterate that Chelsea remain in a transitional period, the club legend may struggle to justify that opinion if his side maintain their current form in the long term.

The Blues rode their luck against Ajax on Wednesday night, with their opponents arguably being unfortunate to have a goal chalked off by VAR, but Chelsea deserve credit for riding out that storm to earn what could turn out to be a crucial three points.

The result in the Netherlands was Chelsea's fourth successive victory on the road, having previously overcome Wolverhampton Wanderers, Lille and Southampton on away territory.

Lampard has acknowledged that putting together such a positive run of form brings its dangers, although the boss of the West Londoners will have every confidence that his team can prolong their run even longer.

Widespread praise has deservedly been handed to the club's academy graduates, but Christian Pulisic and Michy Batshuayi have each reminded Lampard that they deserve opportunities going forward.

Pulisic, who has admitted to being frustrated with his lack of starts, has played a hand in each of Chelsea's decisive goals against Newcastle United and Ajax over the past seven days.

Batshuayi, meanwhile, added the finishing touches to the American's cross in Amsterdam, taking his tally to four goals for the season despite having only been provided with one start.

Whether Lampard will choose to break up a winning side remains to be seen, but the pair have arguably done more than enough to warrant a chance at Turf Moor on Saturday evening.

Recent form: DWLWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW


Team News

Ross Barkley warms up for Chelsea on August 13, 2019© Reuters

Despite the short turnaround after the Ajax game, Lampard may look to keep changes to a minimum, aware that he can hand game time to his squad players against Manchester United in the EFL Cup.

However, one alteration could see Pulisic introduced for Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has played a lot of football in the weeks since his return from an Achilles injury.

Andreas Christensen will remain sidelined with a hamstring injury, while N'Golo Kante and Ross Barkley are considered to be major doubts with groin and ankle issues respectively.

With Dyche having suggested that Barnes missed out last weekend as a precaution, the forward is expected to return to the starting lineup for Burnley.

Jack Cork is likely to be back in contention after a shoulder injury, although Johann Berg Gudmundsson remains sidelined for the home side.

Despite nearing a return from an ankle injury, Danny Drinkwater is unable to face his parent club.

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Alonso; Kovacic, Jorginho; Willian, Mount, Pulisic; Abraham


Head To Head

Saturday's meeting will represent the 99th competitive fixture between the two clubs, with Burnley winning 38 times in comparison to 36 victories for Chelsea.

However, the West Londoners have had the better of the head-to-head since Burnley have been playing Premier League football.

From 10 matches, Chelsea have recorded six triumphs and three draws, with Burnley's solitary success coming at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the 2017-18 campaign.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Burnley 1-1 Chelsea

Both teams will be confident of getting more points on the board this weekend, which should lead to a competitive battle at Turf Moor. While the visitors are the marginal favourites to prevail, we feel that Burnley are playing well enough to earn a share of the spoils.



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Johann Berg Gudmundsson in action for Burnley on August 10, 2019
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