PREVIEW: Burnley v Chelsea

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Build-up as the Clarets look for first league win as Saturday football returns to Turf Moor

2020-10-30T15:24:25.057Z

PREVIEW: Burnley v Chelsea

Build-up as the Clarets look for first league win as Saturday football returns to Turf Moor

2020-10-30T15:24:25.057Z

Build-up as the Clarets look for first league win as Saturday football returns to Turf Moor

The Clarets entertain Chelsea in their first 3pm kick-off on a Saturday at Turf Moor since beating Bournemouth on 22 February.

It’s the second in a run of three home games in four fixtures either side of an international break for Sean Dyche’s men and comes a day after the Burnley boss celebrated eight years in charge of the Clarets.

The home run started with a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Monday night in a game where the Clarets deserved some reward and at least a first Turf Moor point of the campaign.

Jose Mourinho’s free-scorers were largely nullified in the Clarets’ best performance of the season missing only a goal as Burnley drew a blank for the third in four games.

They will be looking to improve on that output against a Chelsea side beaten only once in the Premier League this season, but which has won only once in their last five league games and has twice conceded three goals in 3-3 draws.

The Londoners have been prolific at the other end and added another four goals to their tally in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they made a lengthy round trip to Russia.

PL PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley - Image 3

But Dyche won’t be parking the bus as he seeks a repeat of the upbeat showing against Tottenham with the points to go with it.

“I thought the main thing for me was the balance because I thought we attacked very well as well,” said the Burnley boss.

“I think that’s going to be important because you can kind of get locked into that defensive mode and I didn’t think we did against Tottenham.

“That was really pleasing for me. We’ve got to make sure we find that balance between the right shape to defend and safeguarding our goal against good individuals and good sides likes Chelsea but, equally, try and work for the opportunities to go and hurt them when we can.

“I think finding that balance is really important.”

Team news

The Clarets are still without defenders Ben Mee, Phil Bardsley and Erik Pieters.

Winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson is also a doubt with a slight calf problem.

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva sat out the Blues’ trip to Russia but the summer signing from Paris St Germain will be available to face the Clarets.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has a shoulder problem but would not replace recent signing Edouard Mendy, who has made an impressive start to his Blues’ career.

Teenage midfielder Billy Gilmour is out with a knee injury.

Form guide

The Clarets are still looking for their first league win of the season - and first home win in six games - after four defeats from their opening five fixtures.

Chelsea secured a first win in four games with their 4-0 victory at Krasnodar in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Bar a penalty shoot-out defeat at Tottenham in the EFL Cup, Frank Lampard’s side has lost only once this season – a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in their first home game.

The Blues are therefore unbeaten away from home in the league but have won only two of their first six league games to sit 10th in the table.

Opposition camp

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: “I think it (eight years in charge) is a great achievement by Sean and what he has done at Burnley.

“It's an absolutely fantastic achievement, actually, when you think of the balance of the Premier League, spend and outgoings relative to the results he has produced year after year.

“I watched the game against Tottenham and they were very unfortunate to not take anything from the game.

“It was everything you would expect from Burnley in terms of their organisation, effort, desire and qualities. I think you can pigeon-hole Burnley, but I don’t.

“I know they have quality players, a very effective way of playing and a quality manager so I expect a tough match.”

Match stats

Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Chris Wood are both on 99 Premier League appearances for the Clarets.

Ashley Barnes, who celebrates his 31st birthday the day before the game, has scored 12 goals against the recognised ‘big six.’

The Clarets’ only Premier League win over Chelsea was their 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the 2017/18 season.

Chelsea have conceded 42 goals away from home in the Premier League since the start of last season, three more than any other club.

Referee

David Coote

VAR

Anthony Taylor

Broadcast

BT box office