Chelsea FC
Burnley FC
Burnley FC
Chelsea await their first win under new manager Tuchel but face tough Burnley test
Chelsea to win 2-1
So, Thomas Tuchel was jetted in immediately in time for Chelsea’s match against Wolves in midweek, though watched his side huff and puff their way to a 0-0 draw. The road ahead of him to success is a long one.
He will hope for three points in his second game as manager, though his opponents are no easy push overs these days, despite there being a gap of eight points between them.
Tuchel’s biggest problem is his team selection, with over £200m of talent arriving last summer, plus an array of promising youth options too. He must tread a fine line between picking the side which will win him success, and being respectful to the next generation of youngsters coming through.
Burnley face none of those issues, having been the lowest spenders in the league for several seasons now. Sean Dyche’s tried and trusted method works well, and his seen his side rise to 15th in the league with a game in hand.
This will be a tough game.
Form Guide (all comps): WWLWD
Reasons to be cheerful:
New manager has had a week to get his ideas across
Chelsea have won nine out of 13 league games against Burnley
Reasons to be fearful:
Burnley have pulled off some impressive away wins this season
Chelsea have claimed victory in just two of last nine games
There are not too many sides who play like Burnley, and whether the former PSG and Borussia Dortmund manager has ever come up against a side like them is unlikely.
It will be a new test for his managerial style how he sets his team up to cope with Burnley’s brand of intensity and physicality.
Having said that, he has had almost a week to get his ideas and tactics into his players on the training ground, so we should see a little more of what he’s about this weekend.
Securing a win will be a huge step forward for Chelsea – they’ve only managed to claim maximum points once from their last six games, and if they though Wolves were tough to break down in midweek, imagine what Burnley will be like here.
Star Man – Tammy Abraham
Was unlucky not to start in midweek following a hat-trick last weekend. He should get the nod here against Burnley.
Form Guide (all comps): LLWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Both away wins have come against Liverpool and Arsenal
Have won five of their past nine league games
Reasons to be fearful:
Poor record against Chelsea
Only scored twice in eight league away games
Despite their league position of 15th, Burnley are one of the division’s form sides right now, having taken 16 points from their last 27 available.
It has secured a buffer between themselves and the bottom three, with the club surely now looking up at the teams above them believing that they can hunt them down.
Going away to Chelsea may been a daunting occasion, but Burnley have coped well with big matches on their travels this season, beating both Arsenal and Liverpool.
They have a great opportunity to take advantage of a team in transition, with a new manager potentially unsure of his best team and formation at this moment.
The Clarets will be tough to beat here.
Star Man – Dwight McNeil
Scored and assisted as Burnley came from behind twice to grab a win over Aston Villa last time out.
Will be a very tight match
Chelsea to shade possession
The Blues squad depth could prove key here
This will be one of the closest matches of the weekend, with Chelsea’s spending power going up against Burnley’s grit and determination.
One thing on Chelsea’s side is their squad depth, having the ability to bring in several players who did not play in midweek, fresh and raring to go. Burnley largely play the same team and do not have that luxury.
It’ll be tight, but Chelsea to just about shade it.
Chelsea to win 2-1
