Chelsea are on a roll as the Premier League title favourites travel to Burnley on this Sunday afternoon.
Antonio Conte’s Blues passed a major test in the title race last week securing a 1-1 midweek draw at Liverpool. After that, they beat Arsenal 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to leave their rivals’ hopes in tatters.
Chelsea sit nine points ahead of second-placed Tottenham heading into Sunday’s clash against Burnley after Spurs’ 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Now Burnley host Chelsea at Turf Moor with kick-off scheduled for 1:30pm on Sunday, February 12.
Sean Dyche’s side are 13th in the Premier League table table largely down to their home form – a tally of 28 points.
5. Team News
Burnley:
Steven Defour is likely to miss out with a hamstring problem, with Dean Marney (ACL) and Kevin Long (knee) also out for the hosts.
Jeff Hendrick is serving a three-game ban after being sent off in the defeat at Watford.
Chelsea:
Antonio Conte admitted that Eden Hazard and David Luiz have both been playing through the pain barrier of late. And the Italian coach may be tempted to rest the forward for the trip to Turf Moor despite Burnley’s stunning home form.
Cesc Fabregas may also be in line for a start should Conte decide to go for the win early on after the Spanish midfielder scored off the bench against his former club Arsenal.
John Terry looks likely to miss out with a foot injury picked up in training.
4. Probable line-ups:
Burnley starting XI: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward, Boyd, Barton, Westwood, Arfield, Barnes, Gray.
Chelsea starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Willian, Costa.
3. Burnley vs Chelsea – Head-to-head:
Burnley wins: 37
Chelsea wins: 34
Draws: 22
2. Last five Premier League meetings:
29 August 2009: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley – Premier League
30 January 2010: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea – Premier League
18 August 2014: Burnley 1-3 Chelsea – Premier League
21 February 2015: Chelsea 1-1 Burnley – Premier League
27 August 2016: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley – Premier League
12 February 2017: Burnley v Chelsea – Premier League
1. What managers say:
Burnley boss Sean Dyche:
“Every game you play is a challenge when you are in the Premier League but these are the teams we wanted to play when we were winning promotion from the last division,” he says. “We could do with picking up more points away from home but performance-wise I’ve been pleased with the last four away games, against some really strong teams. If you keep performing at the right level you will win games eventually.”
“They were miles better than us in August and they have morphed into an even stronger unit since. As long as it is eleven vs eleven you always have a chance.”
“Fair enough, we are underdogs but we don’t do blind faith here. We try everything we can to see what works.
“I must admit I cannot see many weaknesses in this Chelsea side but it’s up to us to find a way to make something happen. We have to believe we can do that because football is full of surprises. No one thought Liverpool had any weaknesses until very recently.”
Burnley’s remarkable home form is what has been keeping them safely above the relegation scrap a few places below.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte:
“This is the second time we will play them,” Conte said in his pre-game press conference.
“Gray is a really good player, very clever. He’s always in the right position when they win the second ball he’s in the right position to attack the defensive line.
“We must pay attention. It’s a really good team. They fight a lot, play long ball and play for the second ball, put a lot of pressure on when they have the ball.”
“It’s important to know the strengths and weaknesses of the team you face. We are studying Burnley and preparing very well. It will be a really tough game and for us it’s important.”
“When you arrive after two games against Liverpool and Arsenal it’s important to give continuity and to try to win this game. It won’t be easy for sure, I know this.”
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