Premier League: Chelsea aim to make the Clarets Blue

Chelsea vs Burnley

Premier League action returns to Stamford Bridge on Saturday when Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea welcome Vincent Kompany’s struggling Burnley.

Neither team has had a season to relish so far, as the Blues go into their last 11 games in 11^th place while Burnley’s hopes of avoiding relegation are pretty slim. But both are still fighting, as Chelsea come into the game in good form while the Clarets have picked up four points from their last two games.       

Before the break, Chelsea beat Leicester City 4-2 in the FA Cup, while Burnley edged out Brentford 2-1 in a league clash, and each will try to pick up where they left off.

This Easter weekend marks the beginning of the Premier League climax, and the stakes are huge for both Chelsea and Burnley.   

Talking Points

Chelsea sweating on Palmer fitness

He’s been Chelsea’s player of the campaign and is one of the standout buys of last summer, but Blues fans are worried by the news that Cole Palmer didn’t train with his England teammates at the start of the international break, and he didn’t feature in the Three Lions 1-0 defeat to Brazil.

He has since returned to light training since, but I’m sure Pochettino would prefer he is left out of England’s match with Belgium on Tuesday if there is any doubt.

With 11 Premier League goals, Palmer has been a revelation at the Bridge and, if Chelsea are to continue to thrive in the FA Cup and reach a top seven spot, he needs to be in the action.

The latest Premier League 2024 news coming out of Stamford Bridge suggests Palmer might be fit in time to meet the Clarets, so Chelsea fans will be watching his progress closely.    

Another key player for Pochettino’s Blues is Conor Gallagher, whose work rate in the midfield engine room has been another bright light amongst the gloom in West London.

Gallagher’s fine form won him international recognition and he appeared against the Selecao last weekend.

Meanwhile, the return from AFCON of Nicolas Jackson and the return to fitness of Christopher Nkunku gives Chelsea more options up front, with Raheem Sterling also pushing for a start. 

The Blues are full of goals, but equally, they have shipped a fair few in recent weeks, conceding two goals in each of their last four games since their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.           

Kompany’s problems at the business ends

Nobody expected Burnley to have an easy ride this season, but the difficulties faced by Kompany’s young team have been harsher than even the most pessimistic Clarets fan feared.

Following two abject displays against Arsenal and Crystal Palace, there have been signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Burnley were unlucky to lose at home to Bournemouth, with 75-per cent possession, 20 shots to 10, and six to three on target. Then they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with West Ham as Danny Ings bagged an injury time leveller before beating Brentford last time out.

It may be a case of “too little too late” for this learning team which has struggled to win the big moments at either end of the pitch. The Clarets have conceded 63 goals in 29 league games, and only Sheffield United have let in more.

But Kompany, one of the greatest central defenders ever to grace the Premier League, says it is harder to defend in the top-flight than ever before.

“Defending now is harder because you’re defending bigger spaces,” he says. “More often than not you’re exposed to these high quality strikers. But any team we play against, it’s full on. It’s everyone and that’s what makes this league so good.”

Up front the Clarets have laboured too, as they have only scored three goals from set pieces this season. But Lyle Foster now fit and fighting again and the arrival of David Fofana on loan from Chelsea has made them a bigger threat to opposition defences. 

The Premier League 2024 betting odds are stacked against the Clarets, but they are not dead yet. Nottingham Forest have had a four-point deduction, and Everton are facing another potential sanction.

And now, with nine games to play, Burnley are five points from safety, with games against Sheffield United, Everton, and Nottingham Forest still to come. But Kompany’s side needs one or two unexpected results too if they are to scramble to safety.

History

Chelsea have won 12, drawn four, and lost two of their head-to-head meetings with Burnley. and when the two teams met early in the campaign, Raheem Sterling starred in a 4-1 win at Turf Moor.  

The Blues are unbeaten in four games, while Burnley are unbeaten in two, but something is likely to give on Saturday.

Betting Tip

Unless it’s a draw, the SBOTOP odds of Chelsea comes up. A home win is priced at 1.30 with Burnley at 7.20, and while I think the Blues will win, the Clarets will fight hard and probably score a goal.

For a correct scoreline, 2-1 to the hosts is priced at 8.50.  

 

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