Chelsea vs Burnley Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Chelsea will fancy themselves to get the foot down and put in a convincing display here as they welcome relegation-bound Burnley to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Peacock
Chelsea preview: Impressive Blues
Liam Rosenior has done an impressive job since his appointment in mid-January and Chelsea continued that with an emphatic 4-0 demolition of his former club Hull City away from home last weekend in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Blues are pushing for a top four or five spot and UEFA Champions League qualification in the Premier League, having managed eight victories and a draw in 11 matches across all competitions since the arrival of Rosenior.
Burnley preview: Parker feeling blue
Just as it seemed as though there may well be a glimmer of hope for a very poor Burnley side, the Clarets throw away all positivity and the pressure is now increasing on seemingly demoralised boss Scott Parker.
Having come from 2-0 down to defeat Crystal Palace by three goals to two at Selhurst Park, Burnley then suffered their own turnaround, losing 2-1 at home to League One side Mansfield Town at Turf Moor last weekend.
Chelsea team news: Cucurella injury
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Marc Cucurella has suffered a hamstring injury and some reports have indicated he will now be sidelined for three to four weeks.
The heavy rotation of the Blues could be put on the back burner for the time being, having enjoyed a rare full free midweek and having another on the other side of this game.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Unavailable: Jorgensen (Injured), Colwill (Injured), Cucurella (Injured), Essugo (Injured), Gittens (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Lavia (Fitness)
Burnley team news: Broja out alongside Tuanzebe
Frustratingly for under pressure Parker, former Chelsea striker Armando Broja, injury prone, is now back on the sidelines with an issue that is yet to be disclosed.
As well as the Albania international, versatile Democratic Republic of Congo international defender Axel Tuanzebe remains sidelined due to an Achilles issue.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dubravka; Walker, Humphreys, Esteve, Pires; Luis, Ward-Prowse, Ugochukwu; Edwards, Foster, Anthony
Unavailable: Beyer (Injured), Tuanzebe (Injured), Roberts (Injured), Cullen (Injured), Tresor (Injured), Amdouni (Injured), Broja (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Burnley prediction
Home advantage should ensure Chelsea are comfortable here. Even away from home, though, that has generally been the case under Rosenior and there is growing optimism from within the fanbase that they have made an impressive appointment. Burnley don’t have the same fight or quality as Leeds United do, who fought back from 2-0 down to share a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge about ten days ago, and a comfortable home win is to be expected.
Chelsea vs Burnley tip: Chelsea to win -2 handicap
