Prediction: Chelsea vs Burnley

Verdict: Chelsea to score under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to pick up their first victory under Thomas Tuchel this weekend, Chelsea will welcome a resurging Burnley to an empty Stamford Bridge on Sunday lunchtime.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, after only having a couple of hours of training with his new squad before Wednesday’s meeting against Wolves, Thomas Tuchel will be desperate to pick up his first victory at Stamford Bridge this weekend. Eventually having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against the Oranges in what was a lacklustre affair in midweek, the former PSG boss knows that he must guide the former champions to some Premier League stability. While the former champions might have managed to extend on their FA Cup adventure this month, the Blues have recorded just a pair of top-flight wins in their last nine appearances. Already announced that his new side are firmly out of the title-chase, Tuchel will also be hopeful of his side finding a much-needed clinical edge in the final third. Now drawing back-to-back blanks against Wolves and Leicester, it should also be noted that Chelsea have failed to bag themselves more than a single strike in none of their last six straight Premier League appearances.

Team News

Despite returning to training this week, midfielder N’Golo Kante will once again miss out on Sunday lunchtime due to a hamstring injury.

Aside from Kante, new boss Thomas Tuchel has reported no fresh injuries.

Burnley

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might be a side who are desperately seeking a bounce, there is no doubt that the mood in Burnley’s camp should be at a season-high. Although many expected the Clarets to find themselves firmly at the heart of a relegation scrap this year, Sean Dyche’s men have managed to skyrocket their way away from the bottom-three. Potentially smelling the chance to cause what would be another monumental upset on their travels this weekend, the Turf Moor outfit should still be boosted by that stunning display away at defending champions Liverpool earlier in the month. Along with claiming that shock 1-0 victory away at Anfield, Dyche’s side suddenly find themselves enjoying a three-match winning run across all formats. Extending on their FA Cup adventure thanks to what turned into a 3-0 romp against Fulham last weekend, the Clarets also picked up another eye-catching scalp in midweek. Leaving Turf Moor with that action-packed 3-2 win against Aston Villa, Burnley will be desperate to keep up that momentum in the capital this weekend.

Team News

Burnley pair Charlie Taylor and Ashley Barnes have returned to training but manager Sean Dyche was sceptical about their involvement on Sunday.

Midfielder Josh Brownhill was substituted against Aston Villa and is as a fitness doubt.

Key Factors to Consider

• Along with winning their last three meetings against Burnley, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last six matchups against the Clarets, winning five of those contests.
• However, Sunday’s hosts have managed to win just a pair of their last nine Premier League matchups on the bounce.
• The Blues have also failed to record more than a single goal in their last six top-flight contests on the spin.
• Including that 1-0 victory against Liverpool, Burnely find themselves enjoying a three-match winning run across all formats.
• None of Burnley’s last nine matchups away from Turf Moor have seen both teams find the net.

Conclusion

While Chelsea might hold a thumping record against Burnley and be tipped as a landslide pick with the bookies this weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s new squad could face a stern test in West London. With just a pair of wins in their last nine Premier League contests, the former champions have also gained a reputation for their extended issues in front of goal. Up against a Burnley side who are certainly enjoying their brightest run of the season so far, the Clarets have picked up some notable scalps over the past 10 days. Landing that stunning 1-0 win away at Liverpool and the first team to pick up a Premier League victory at Anfield since 2016, Sean Dyche’s men also managed to land a dramatic 3-2 win against Aston Villa in midweek. Proving to be a stern test, a toothless Chelsea might have another frustrating afternoon on the cards.

Verdict: Chelsea to score under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet