Burnley blanks to keep on going
Chelsea make the journey up to Turf Moor to face Burnley in a rare Saturday 3PM kick-off. The Clarets have failed to score in three of their previous four Premier League matches, and manager Sean Dyche is unlikely to change tack with such dangerous, attack-minded opponents. They need an 'out', but they might have to wait a while longer. Read our preview here:
Burnley's Blunderbusses
The Lancashire outfit have yet to either make their presence truly felt in both boxes in 2020/2021; Nick Pope has not been at his usual standards thus far, only shutting out West Bromwich Albion in a truly insipid encounter. At the opposite end, they're the joint-lowest scorers in the nascent campaign alongside Sheffield United. There is an air of predictability about their approach play, and they have failed to make their usual aerial dominance pay from set pieces. All of this combined has undermined their efforts to date, but that doesn't mean that Frank Lampard should take them lightly. Chris Wood will relish the challenge of competing against the likes of Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva, and whilst he ought not to beat them in a foot race, they can't afford to rest on their laurels.
Finding the right formula
The London club's defensive frailties are well documented, but they have often been bailed out by their talented and skilful forwards. Even so, it would be remiss to assume that the front four of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, and Mason Mount have developed a collective understanding. Pulisic in particular has had an underwhelming start to the year, and his propensity to cut inside instead of cross plays into the Clarets' defensive low-block and 'funnelling' of attacks into very central areas. On the opposite flank, Mount is stronger in that regard, but will probably drift into the half-spaces to avoid the dual attentions of Dwight McNeil and Charlie Taylor. Doubtlessly, they'll retain the greater share of possession, which they'll need to be cute with to avoid falling into the trap their hosts will set.
Bore draw?
Few would argue that the quality of the individuals in blue are superior, but there's little doubt that Chelsea have underperformed thus far in the league themselves, snatching draws from victories several times already. Because Burnley will sit deep from the off, the onus is very much on their adversaries finding ways through, and they certainly won't have an easy time of it. The energy might eventually be sapped from the hosts' legs, or defensive discipline might lapse just long enough to be punished for it. The later this happens, the lower the chances are for them to strike back. 888sport are offering odds of 2.45 for Dyche's charges to not trouble the scoreboard yet again.
