Best Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker:
Looking to mark their return from March’s international break with a statement at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will welcome Burnley to west London on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea
Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have suffered EFL Cup final heartbreak at the hands of Liverpool on February 25th, the Blues do appear to have turned a recent corner. Although Mauricio Pochettino might have found increasing scrutiny over his long-term future at Stamford Bridge, the former Premier League champions do have their sights firmly set on mounting a late European charge. Last seen extending on their FA Cup adventure as they secured an action-packed 4-2 victory against Leicester, Chelsea have lost just one of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Marking their return from the fortnight interval sat just one-point adrift of breaking into the top-half, the former Tottenham boss will also be excited by his side’s recent success on home soil. Including a 3-2 win against Newcastle earlier in the month, Saturday’s hosts have won all of their last three contests in west London by an aggregate score of 10-6.
Team News
Still dealing with what is a stacked injury list at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have already confirmed that they will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and influential skipper Reece James. Likewise, struggling to find any kind of stability since arriving in west London, French international Christopher Nkunku remains a major doubt here.
Continuing to shine this season and notching 11 Premier League goals, former Manchester City starlet Cole Palmer will certainly play a leading role here. Omitted from Gareth Southgate’s squad this month, England international Raheem Sterling could settle for a spot on the bench.
Burnley
As for the visitors, although Burnley might have entered March’s international break with a 2-1 victory against Brentford, it is no secret that Vincent Kompany’s men are tipped as a landslide relegation contender in 2024. Despite storming their way to a Premier League return this season, the Clarets mark their return sat five points adrift of top-flight safety. In fact, the former Manchester City skipper has seen his squad muster just a single victory from any of their previous 12 straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to December 23rd. Facing what will certainly be a stern examination when they travel to west London this weekend, Kompany’s side should be worried by a nightmare record against Chelsea. Hit with a 4-1 drumming when they welcomed the Blues to Turf Moor on October 7th, Burnley have failed to win any of their previous 10 straight meetings against the former champions.
Team News
Not featuring for Burnley since the end of January, Kompany’s men will once again be unable to call upon 22-year-old defender Ameen Al-Dakhil on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, in what is a major blow for the Clarets this weekend, attacking ace David Fofana will be forced to watch from the sidelines as he is ineligible to feature against his parent club.
Featuring for Switzerland over the past fortnight, former Basel starlet Zeki Amdouni could make a full return at Stamford Bridge. With James Trafford shockingly dropped prior to March’s international break, ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric could keep his spot between the sticks here.
Key Factors to Consider
