Chelsea
will look to open up a 10-point lead over title rivals Manchester City when
relegation-threatened Burnley travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho's Premier League leaders can put the champions under real
pressure by claiming three points ahead of their Saturday Night Football
clash with Newcastle United.
The Blues were forced to hold on at times in their 1-1 Champions League
last-16 draw at PSG, but Mourinho will be confident they can return to
winning ways in front of their own fans where they have failed to win on
just one occasion this season.
Burnley sit second from bottom of the Premier League and travel to the
Bridge with the odds stacked against them, having won just once on the road
this season.
Despite the lack of resullts away from home, the Clarets have produced a
number of industrious displays which, if repeated, could cause a potenitally
fatigued Chelsea side problems.
Team news
Awaiting Chelsea team news
Burnley welcome Stephen Ward back into the squad for the first time in two
and a half months for the trip to London.
The full-back has recovered from a fractured ankle suffered in the 1-1 draw
against Newcastle at the start of December.
Dean Marney has undergone successful surgery on his cruciate ligament injury
but will be out until next season along with Kevin Long. Matt Taylor
suffered a slight setback in his recovery from Achilles surgery but he is
back training with the squad again.
Opta facts
Chelsea have kept 16 clean sheets in their last 20 Premier League home
games, conceding just six goals in that run.
Burnley have won just two of their 31 Premier League away games (W2 D5 L24)
and kept just one clean sheet in those matches.
All four shots on target in the first half of Burnley v Chelsea on the
opening weekend of the Barclays Premier League season resulted in goals.
Danny Ings has scored in five of his last six Premier League matches, while
Diego Costa has scored six goals in his last seven top-flight outings.
The Clarets have won just one of their last nine Premier League matches (W1
D3 L5)
The Londoners have won 33 and lost just one of their last 40 Premier League
matches at Stamford Bridge.
Merson's prediction
Chelsea did enough in midweek against PSG and when they scored they were
happy because they’re confident of beating them at Stamford Bridge. I don’t
see a problem for Jose Mourinho’s men against Burnley. Sean Dyche will set
up his side to have a go and they can cause teams problems, but I just don’t
see any problems for the Blues. Burnley will score because they’re not going
there with 10 men behind the ball, but a goal is all I see them getting.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-1
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