Big Match Breakdown: Burnley v Chelsea
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Can Clarets do the double over Conte’s men?
Burnley stunned Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the 2017-18 by leaving with all three points. And Chelsea have had to wait nearly eight months for a shot at revenge.
But that’s not the main narrative here. The Clarets are looking to secure European football, while Antonio Conte’s Blues could keep their faint top-four hopes alive with a victory.
The Coral News Team take a close look at this crucial clash with the latest Big Match Breakdown…
Head-to-Head
Historically, these clubs’ record is pretty even. Burnley have won 38 meetings to Chelsea’s 34, with 23 games ending even-stevens.
That’s also been the case in recent seasons. The last four clashes have seen one win apiece, with the Clarets pulling off a 3-2 win in West London last time out.
There tend to be goals, with both sides netting in five of the last six meetings. And this fixture seems to bring the feisty side out in the Blues. They’ve had three players sent off across the last four Head-to-Heads.
Likely XIs
The Clarets still have a handful of key players out with injury, including Jon Walters and Steven Defour – but there are no new names on the sidelines.
With their recent form so strong, Sean Dyche is unlikely to change much from Saturday’s victory over Leicester City. However, the experienced and tenacious Phil Bardsley could return to the side for this high-stakes clash.
Olivier Giroud was last weekend’s super sub for the Blues, and is likely to replace the struggling Alvaro Morata in the starting XI. Willian and Eden Hazard are likely to occupy a wider position behind the French frontman.
Regular starter Victor Moses is likely to play from the off, having been given something of a rest last weekend – making a four-minute cameo in the win at Southampton.
Key Battles
Olivier Giroud’s lethal finishing and aerial prowess were too much for Southampton last weekend. But while the Saints backline are pretty shambolic, Burnley’s have been solid.
Whether or not he’s afforded the space and deliveries he had at St Mary’s could define this game.
Meanwhile, the hosts’ best threat could come from wide men Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Aaron Lennon, against a side who tend to play pretty narrowly.
Match Odds
In the match betting, Chelsea are 10/11 favourites. The draw is priced at 23/10, while it’s 16/5 for Burnley to do the double over their visitors.
Five of the last seven meetings have seen the net bulge three times or more. It’s 23/20 for Over 2.5 Goals. Meanwhile, the odds make Both Teams to Score a 19/20 shot.
Both sides have strikers in good form. Chris Wood has scored five times in as many games, and closed out the scoring in two of them. He’s 17/10 to net Anytime, while it’s 9/2 the New Zealander is Last Goalscorer.
For the visitors, Olivier Giroud is 7/5 to register. Meanwhile, the former Arsenal ace is 13/2 to Score Two or More Goals as he did at St Mary’s.
Meanwhile, Coral’s trading team make it 50/1 for Burnley to win 3-2 as they did in August’s meeting with Conte’s charges.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
