Chelsea head into the new season as defending champions, but it hasn’t been a happy summer at Stamford Bridge for Antonio Conte. Despite spending over £100 million on new players, including Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Morata, the Blues managed to miss out on many first-choice targets. Furthermore, they’ve either sold or sent out on loan a lot of last year’s fringe players, meaning their squad is threadbare ahead of the new season.
Much of the summer has revolved around Diego Costa, who remains at the club, but has been banned from the training ground and looks certain to leave. However, there aren’t many suitors for the Spanish international. Despite his personality and attitude, either Morata or Michy Batshuayi will have to fill his boots this season. Costa was Chelsea’s top goalscorer last year.
The Blues lost to Arsenal in last weekend’s Community Shield game, but their opening game of the Premier League season is more favourable. Conte’s side host Sean Dyche’s Burnley, who’ll have been working hard over the summer to ensure that their away form isn’t as disastrous as last season. The Clarets won just one away Premier League game last season, but their record at Turf Moor was exceptional, as it helped keep them in the division.
It’ll be very difficult for Burnley to improve on their 16th place finish in last season’s Premier League. They spend far less than their rivals, but there’s money available following the sale of Michael Keane to Everton. Keane will leave a huge hole in defence for Sean Dyche and they’ve yet to replace him so far.
Chelsea vs. Burnley Predictions
The stats suggest that Burnley may find it difficult to get anything out of this game. Chelsea will want to bounce back from their defeat last weekend and lay down a marker for the season. Expect Chelsea to win and they’re also likely to keep a clean sheet.
Chelsea vs. Burnley Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their previous six Premier League meetings with Burnley (W4 D2 L0).
- Chelsea have won more points on the opening day than any other Premier League club (54).
- The Blues haven’t lost on the opening day since 1998, going unbeaten in their last 18 games to start the season (W15 D3).
- Just one of the previous 25 reigning Premier League champions have lost their opening game in the following season – Leicester vs Hull in 2016 (W20 D4 L1).
- Burnley have lost all three Premier League opening day fixtures, scoring just once in three games.
- Burnley have won just one of their 16 Premier League away games in London (D2 L13), although it came on their last visit to the capital against Crystal Palace in April, winning 2-0.
- Chelsea (183) have won more points in August than any other team in Premier League history (P85, W54, D21, L10).
- 33 of Burnley’s 40 points came at Turf Moor last season.
- Diego Costa scored 20 Premier League goals last season. Without him, Chelsea would have won 15 fewer points.
- Costa’s goals were worth more than any other player in last season’s Premier League.
Chelsea Team News
Antonio Conte has a number of injury problems heading into the new season. New signing Tiemoue Bakayoko is still recovering from knee surgery, while Eden Hazard is on the mend after breaking an ankle. He remains out until the beginning of September.
Victor Moses is suspended, after picking up a red card in last season’s FA Cup final, meaning that Conte might have to change his three-man defence of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta, with Azpilicueta potentially starting at wing-back, meaning that Antonio Rudiger could make a first start.
Chelsea Possible Starting XI: Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Marcos Alonso, Willian, Michy Batshuayi, Pedro
Burnley Team News
Burnley have no injury concerns ahead of the new season. Jack Cork could make his debut.
