Chelsea travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley this weekend for their 10th match of the Premier League season. The Blues are on a roll with a 6 match winning streak in all competitions.
They also beat last season’s UEFA Champions League Semifinalists Ajax 0-1 on Wednesday, thanks to super-subs Christian Pulisic and Michy Batshuayi. They duo linked together once again to give the Londoners all three points at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
Chelsea are looking to solidify their presence in the top 4 positions and a win would make it 5 wins on the trot for the Stamford Bridge side. Their last loss came at home to Liverpool on 22nd of September, but since then they have really made up ground in the league.
Burnley are also playing some good football this season and have been in good form at Turf Moor. Ashley Barnes opened the season with a flurry of goals and then New Zealander Chris Wood added a few more. They are sitting just below Tottenham Hotspur at the 8th spot in the table with 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses – with 12 points.
The Clarets are looking to finish in the top half this season and will also be looking to push for a place in the European spots.
Frank Lampard, having signalled a warning to his boys, had huge respects for their Saturday’s opponents, “Its a tough place to go. They have a strong way of playing, they are well drilled. They can give you big problems. Its a tough match.”
PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
The Clarets are still missing ex-Chelsea man Danny Drinkwater who is likely to resume training next week. Chris Wood faces a race against time to get fit for the match and will likely to be assessed. Sean Dyche has midfielder Jack Cork in contention to start. They would be relying on frontman Ashley Barnes for goals and Dwight McNeil and Ashley Westwood to supply support for the Englishman.
Predicted Line-Ups: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee (C), Pieters, Hendrick Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Barnes, Rodriguez 4-2-2
The Blues on the other hand are in some trouble as N’golo Kante is still missing with a groin issue he picked at international duty with France. Tammy Abraham is likely to spearhead attack and will lineup ahead of Wednesday’s goalscorer Michy Batshuayi. Mason Mount and Willian are also likely to keep their places. Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho would be playing in their holding positions. Lampard also mentioned that USMNT’s Christian Pulisic’s ‘recent performances’ have put him in contention for a start on Saturday.
Predicted Line-Ups:
Kepa, Alonso, Tomori, Zouma, Azpilicueta (C), Jorginho, Kovacic, Pulisic, Mount, Willian, Abraham 4-2-3-1
Referee: Michael Oliver
Venue: Turf Moor, Burnley (22546)
English Premier League, Round 10
Time: 17:30 BST, Saturday.
