Chelsea host Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, as the Blues, look to continue their fine Premier League form. The Blues are currently top of the table, picking up 25 points from their opening 10 matches, while Burnley occupy 18th, having collected just seven points from their first 10 games of 2021-22.
Chelsea edged closer to a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League as they claimed a 1-0 win over Malmo in Group H, which was Chelsea’s seventh consecutive victory in all competitions. Before that, Thomas Tuchel’s side comfortably brushed aside Newcastle United 3-0 in the last Premier League last weekend.
Chelsea have been one of the best defensive units in the Premier League so far and have only conceded three goals in the 10 games they have played. They have the lowest xG against them in the league and have only conceded 0.277 goals per 90 minutes. Chelsea have kept seven clean sheets so far and will be a tough unit to break.
Hudson-Odoi has been playing well for Chelsea so far in the games that he has featured in. With Chelsea’s main starting lineup filled with injuries, Hudson-Odoi is sure to see more game time in their upcoming matches. His performances in the previous games against Norwich and Newcastle have helped him fix his place in the starting lineup. He has delivered threatening crosses from both left and right wings. Hudson-Odoi is at his most threatening level when he drives inside with his right foot with the ball, as the defenders have a hard time guessing whether he is going to aim for the target or find a teammate near the far post of the goal.
Burnley claimed their first win of the season last time out when they saw off Brentford 3-1 at home. Before that, Sean Dyche’s men picked up four draws and lost five of their opening nine league outings of the season. Despite the win, Burnley remain in 18th place, three points below Leeds United, just outside the relegation zone.
The Clarets have attempted the most aerial duels in the league and have also won the most duels. These aerial duels are not only while defending their goal but are also in the final third inside the opposition’s penalty area. Even if Burnley do not see more of the ball and are unable to dominate possession of the game, one good ball into the penalty area from a set piece situation can help them score and turn around any game. The Chelsea defenders are aware of this threat from aerial duels.
Burnley have stumbled into the new season and find themselves in the relegation places. While they will be looking to build on their win from last week, they face a tough test of going up against one of the most in-form sides across Europe. Chelsea have won seven straight games in all competitions and will be looking to get their eighth consecutive win. Their fine form has seen them rise to the top of the Premier League table.
Chelsea predicted starting lineup:
Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell, Ziyech, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi.
Burnley predicted starting lineup:
Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Westwood, McNeil, Wood, Cornet.
