The final worldwide break of 2025 is over, and it’s now uninterrupted soccer for the subsequent 4 months (not counting the Africa Cup of Nations, which doesn’t have an effect on us this time round). Winter is right here, and so is the winter grind. You possibly can’t win any precise trophies simply but, however you possibly can definitely lose out on them.
Simply previous the quarter mark of the season, Chelsea start this section in third place, a pair factors behind an (below the radar?) Manchester Metropolis and 6 factors behind high-flying Arsenal (earlier than their inevitable collapse?). However solely three factors separate us from the remainder of the highest half of the desk, so our place is hardly safe. If the inconsistencies and disappointments which have plagued us to date proceed, this can be a detailed struggle for the top-four or -five to the top.
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One good way to assist our probabilities of reaching our base goals is to deal with enterprise towards groups within the backside half of the desk. Burnley, who raised a whole lot of eyebrows with their defensive excellence within the second division final yr, have conceded the second most objectives within the high flight to date. Let’s fill our cups, and get the winds of winter blowing in the correct route.
Date / Time: Saturday, November 22, 12.30 GMT; 7:30am EST; 6pm ISTVenue: Turf Moor, Burnley, EnglandReferee: Peter Bankes (on pitch); Rob Jones (VAR)Forecast: Chilly, breezy, wet
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Burnley crew information: Burnley sit simply above the relegation zone as issues stand, and solely because of purpose distinction, regardless of having conceded 22 objectives in 11 video games already — already six (6!) greater than they conceded all final season (16 in 46 video games), which was a brand new report for English soccer. (Chelsea maintain the Premier League report with 15 conceded in 38 video games in 2004-05; Liverpool maintain the highest flight report with 16 conceded in 42 video games in 1978-79.)
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Their struggles on the defensive finish are a little bit of a shock, as the one participant of be aware to go away in the summertime was goalkeeper James Trafford, and he was changed by a confirmed participant in Newcastle’s Martin Dúbravka (on mortgage). Additionally they signed Bashir Humphreys for good after his season on mortgage from Chelsea, including midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu and striker Armando Broja from the Blues later as properly. Supervisor Scott Parker, one other former Blue, had struggled in his earlier stints within the Premier League nevertheless (with Fulham and Bournemouth), and he’s having a equally tough time of it at present.
Broja’s dealing with a late health take a look at for this one, together with left again Quilindschy Hartman, who’s been coping with an sickness.
Chelsea crew information: Chelsea are additionally coping with a pair health doubts, as Benoît Badiashile solely simply returned to coaching whereas Moisés Caicedo solely received again from worldwide responsibility on Thursday. However Enzo Fernández and Pedro Neto, who withdrew from their respective nationwide groups as a result of accidents, are 100 per cent (or as 100 per cent as they are often), having rested and recovered over the previous fortnight as a substitute. Jamie Gittens, who had a little bit of an harm scare with England U21, can be good to go.
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Sadly, Cole Palmer has fractured the little toe on his left foot someway whereas being at dwelling recovering from his groin harm, so he’ll be out for a minimum of one other week, however most likely extra. Bones heal properly, however by no means shortly. Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia, and Dário Essugo stay out long-term.
Chelsea have two large video games looming later this week, at dwelling towards Barcelona on Tuesday after which Arsenal away on Sunday, however we mustn’t overlook this doubtlessly tough take a look at both.
Beforehand: We haven’t misplaced to Burnley since 2008, once they beat us on penalties in a League Cup fourth spherical match — a part of the start of the top for one Luiz Felipe Scolari, for many who keep in mind these days. We did draw our final match towards them, in the direction of the top of 2023-24, conceding a later equalizer to Dara O’Shea. Our final go to to Turf Moor was a bit extra enjoyable nevertheless, overcoming an early purpose from the house facet to win simply, 4-1.