Can Chelsea do the seemingly impossible and haul Tottenham in and grab fourth spot in the Premier League. It’s an unlikely scenario, but all the same mathematically still within reach.
Heading into Thursday evenings game up at Burnley, the deficit between the two London clubs is 8 points. This evening Tottenham took on Brighton & Hove Albion. The game ended 1-1 giving Chelsea a sniff of a chance of pulling them back. Victory will see Chelsea just 5 points behind, half of what they were a week ago. Tottenham’s goal difference is considerably better though. The pressure’s building.
A trip to Turf Moor has proved difficult for most clubs this season, the Clarets have played 16, won 7, drawn 4 and lost 5. Those five defeats have been against Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and West Brom. All of those games had no more than 1 goal between the teams, apart from Tottenham who won 3-0. Manchester City’s visit ended 1-1.
The odds are stacked against Chelsea. Although the Blues away form is better than Burnley’s home record. On the road Chelsea have played 16, won 8, drawn 3 and lost 5. Those defeats coming at Manchester City, Manchester United, Watford, West Ham and Crystal Palace.
The good that can be taken from that is, Chelsea have only lost when travelling north (excluding Watford) to teams above them. The other three losses have come against their lower level London rivals, who take particular pride in giving the rich boys a kicking.
On the downside Burnley are the form team of the two. Sean Dyche’s side have won 4 of the last 5 games 2-1, the fifth being a 3-0 victory at West Ham. On the flip side Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have won 2, drawn 1, and lost 2 of the last 5 games.
Chelsea’s visit to Turf Moor last season resulted in a 1-1 draw. The season before, Burnley were in the Championship. The Blues visit to the north-west in 2014-15 came on the first day of the season. It was the Monday night game, and produced this stunning Andre Schurrle goal in the 3-1 victory
One thing that history shows, is Chelsea can deliver when the odds are stacked against them. On his day, Eden Hazard can beat any team, almost, on his own. That final 20 minutes of Chelsea’s win at Southampton may have instilled a bit more confidence and team solidarity in a side labouring for vast chunks of the season.
Conte’s reminder to those players that they have a responsibility to the badge on their shirt and the faithful in the stands, may just give them the edge. Burnley’s advantage, is built on teamwork. Dyche will have drilled his players to the nth degree, and with them pushing Arsenal for sixth place, they’ll be in no mood to let Chelsea rule their turf.
The game kicks-off at 19:45 on Thursday and will be live on Sky Sports.