Team
news, key stats and prediction ahead of Chelsea vs Burnley in the Premier
League.
Team news
Christian Pulisic will miss Chelsea's Premier League clash with Burnley due
to an adductor injury. The USA forward will be sidelined for a number of
weeks after picking up the problem in training.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still some way from a playing return as he continues
rehabilitation from heel surgery.
Burnley are expected to be without striker Ashley Barnes for the trip to
Stamford Bridge. Barnes missed last week's FA Cup win against Peterborough
and is waiting to learn the full extent of a groin problem, while midfielder
Johann Berg Gudmundsson (hamstring) is unavailable.
Striker Jay Rodriguez and defender Phil Bardsley could both miss out through
illness but leading goalscorer Chris Wood is likely to be fit after a
hamstring strain.
Opta stats
Chelsea are looking to complete the league double over Burnley for the first
time since 2009-10, following their 4-2 victory at Turf Moor in the reverse
fixture.
Burnley have won just one of their 11 Premier League meetings with Chelsea
(D3 L7). However, five of the six points the Clarets have won against the
Blues in the competition have been at Stamford Bridge (W1 D2 L2).
Chelsea haven't lost three consecutive home Premier League games since
November 1993 under Glenn Hoddle.
Burnley are currently on a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats -
the ninth time since the start of last season they have endured such a run.
Since scoring twice in the first half of their 3-0 win over West Ham in
November, Burnley haven't scored a single first-half goal in the Premier
League in nine matches. Only Crystal Palace (4) have scored fewer first-half
goals than the Clarets so far this season (7).
Chelsea have conceded 28 per cent of their Premier League goals in the final
10 minutes of games this season (8/29), the highest percentage of any team.
Burnley have collected just one point in 10 Premier League games this season
against teams currently in the top-half of the division (W0 D1 L9), drawing
1-1 with Wolves back in August.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
It is another one of the awkward Chelsea home games where they find it hard
to break them down. Most of the time, Burnley have been exactly that, but I
do not see the resolve that was once there. I can see the frustration in
Sean Dyche at the moment. He would like to change it at the back but is
limited with choices. They have been good over the years but there is a lull
at the moment.
Chelsea have to prove something. They have had a little rest which might do
them some good. Burnley are in a fight at the moment and with the way the
table sits, they still have quite a bit of work to do.
If the front pair don't score, they won't score from anywhere else. That
seems to be missing in the Premier League, and is why they are sitting four
points above the drop zone. I don't recall Burnley ever conceding so many
goals.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
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