Burnley welcome Chelsea to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
It’s been an interesting week for the Clarets off the pitch as reports of potential new investment in the club have surfaced.
It’s not the first time in recent months that rumoured interest of a takeover has come to light. However, attentions must divert to action on the pitch as Chelsea are the visitors this weekend.
Frank Lampard’s side head into the game at Turf Moor off the back of a 0-4 Champions League victory in Russia, where Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic were among the goals against FC Krasnodar.
Despite the impressive win, 2000 miles is a long way to travel home for any side – and the Blues face a tough challenge in Burnley despite the Clarets’ current league position.
Sean Dyche’s side are placed in the relegation zone, second-bottom with just a single point from their opening 5 top flight matches.
Chelsea meanwhile, despite their exploits in Europe, will be disappointed with their Premier League start – currently perched in 10th position after 6 games.
The Blues big summer spend has yet to really bear fruit for them in the league, but Frank Lampard has said he is ‘very, very pleased’ with his players.
Maligned goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been displaced by new recruit Edouard Mendy, but the Spaniard isn’t expected to feature in the Chelsea squad at Turf Moor due to a shoulder injury.
That is likely to see Willy Caballero settle for a place on the bench, or perhaps we could even see a remarkable return to the Chelsea fold for the retired Petr Cech, who was named in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad earlier this month.
For Burnley, a return to the side from injury for James Tarkowski has seen things tighten up at the back, and the Clarets were arguably unlucky to lose to Tottenham last time out.
However, Sean Dyche will still be without fellow defender Ben Mee, who has now spent almost 18 weeks on the sidelines.
Jack Cork also remains absent with a foot injury, whilst Phil Bardsley is awaiting the latest results of a coronavirus test. Erik Pieters is rated touch-and-go to play against Chelsea with a knock.
Burnley host Chelsea at Turf Moor in the Premier League, with kick off 3pm on Saturday 31st October.
