Prediction: Burnley vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Chelsea will make the trip to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

Burnley

Starting with the hosts, despite putting in what was a gritty display at home against Leicester earlier in the week, Burnley would have been disappointed to have suffered a 2-0 defeat at Turf Moor. Still firmly battling it out at the foot of the Premier League table and in a scrap to maintain their top-flight status this season, Sean Dyche’s men will know that they face a stern test on Saturday afternoon. While the Clarets might have seen their three-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end in midweek, Burnley should at least be boosted by some recent improvements since opening 2022. On a run that is highlighted by a shock 1-0 win against Champions League contenders Tottenham on February 23rd, this weekend’s hosts have lost just a pair of their last eight Premier League matchups. Once again sat in the bottom-three and with time starting to tick away, Dyche’s men will be desperate to pull off a real upset at Turf Moor here.

Team News

Limping off against Leicester in midweek with a knee injury, defensive star Ben Mee is expected to miss out on Saturday afternoon.

Likewise, Burnley will once again be without the likes of Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Erik Pieters, Matej Vydra and Dale Stephens due to injury issues.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, avoiding what could have been a real FA Cup scare away at Championship outfit Luton in midweek, there is no doubt that Chelsea would have been glad to have eventually picked up a 3-2 win. Now simply with their sights set on securing another top-four finish this season, Head Coach Thomas Tuchel still finds his side enjoying a largely impressive run of form. Despite suffering that remarkable defeat at Wembley last weekend in this year’s EFL Cup Final, the former PSG boss has seen his side win seven of their last eight matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to January 18th. Managing to open their Champions League knockout stage run with a deserved 2-0 victory against Lille a fortnight ago, the Blues should be smelling the chance to lay down a marker when they travel to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, it should be noted that Tuchel’s side have won each of their last four trips to Lancashire, a run highlighted by a 3-0 romp last season.

Team News

The likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Hakim Ziyech, Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen and Reece James are once again expected to miss out here.

Bagging the winner against Luton earlier in the week, Romelu Lukaku will be hoping to keep his place up top.

Key Factors to Consider

• Burnley have lost just a pair of their last eight Premier League matchups, a run that stems back to January 2nd.
• Likewise, seven of those eight top-flight contests have finished with under 2.5 goals.
• Chelsea have won seven of their last eight matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to January 18th.
• Including a 3-0 romp last season, the Blues have won each of their last four trips to Turf Moor.
• Chelsea have lost just one of their previous 16 meetings against Saturday’s hosts.

Conclusion

Eventually claiming an action-packed 3-2 defeat away at Championship outfit Luton in midweek, Chelsea should be smelling the chance to lay down a marker here. Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Thomas Tuchel’s men have managed to win seven of their last eight matchups across all formats. Lifting their first Club World Cup crown last month, they should also be boosted by a rather eye-catching record at Turf Moor. Winning each of their last four straight trips to Lancashire, including a 3-0 win last season, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet