- Chelsea have only twice scored more than one goal in seven league games so far 
- Burnley have failed to score in three of five meetings with top-half teams 
- Recommended bet: Chelsea and under 2.5 goals

Saturday’s clash at Turf Moor will be an interesting gauge for Burnley and Chelsea after the pair both recorded away wins last time out to give hope that they may finally be heading in the right direction.

Burnley’s return to the top flight has been a chastening experience for Vincent Kompany and his players. 

They took the Championship by storm last season with a string of exceptional displays but have found their style far harder to replicate in the Premier League cauldron. 

Tuesday’s victory at Luton came as a massive relief to a team who had taken just one point from their first six matches.

Chelsea have also had pre-season hopes dented by a dismal start, with their Monday night win at Fulham only their second victory in seven league outings.

Now comes the test for both teams of whether those away wins were a sign of things to come or just another false dawn.

Team news

Chelsea’s absentee list remains huge, with right-back Malo Gusto suspended and centre-back Wesley Fofana, attacker Christopher Nkunku, left-back Ben Chilwell and defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia all ruled out through injury.

Striker Nicolas Jackson returns from suspension and recently recovered frontman Armando Broja should be okay despite having to come off against Fulham.

Midfielder Moises Caicedo and attacker Mykhailo Mudryk both also had to come off injured against Fulham and are doubts, albeit Mauricio Pochettino is optimistic about Caicedo.

Winger Carney Chukwuemeka, full-back Reece James, defender Benoit Badiashile and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli are all major doubts.

Burnley have injury problems of their own with none of Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Manuel Benson, Nathan Redmond or defender Hjalmar Ekdal expected back until after the international break.

Striker Michael Obafemi remains some way off returning from hamstring surgery.

The stats

Burnley’s league record of five defeats and just one win from seven games is not quite as bad as it looks given the five losses came against both Manchester clubs, Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

However, until recently Chelsea would count themselves among that level, finishing in the top four in all but three of the 20 seasons prior to last term’s 12th-placed finish.

Chelsea have struggled against better teams but three meetings with teams in the bottom eight have yielded seven points with not a single goal conceded.

Burnley have failed to score in three of their five matches against teams currently in the top half.

Prediction

Chelsea have often played well without scoring this season, so their victory at Fulham on Monday could prove a turning point.

Goals for Mudryk and Broja at Craven Cottage will have been particularly pleasing for Pochettino as there is a feeling that if Chelsea’s strikers can find some form and confidence then points could start flowing freely.

But the fact that both goalscorers are now injury doubts sums up Chelsea’s fortunes, so it could be another disjointed display against a Burnley side who are not as bad as their results suggest.

The Clarets will do well to avoid relegation but have been handed a tough opening set of fixtures. 

They should avoid embarrassment against the Blues, but may not do quite enough to claim a point.

Back Chelsea and under 2.5 goals, available at 16/5 with LiveScore Bet.

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