Venue: Turf Moor
Date: Saturday, 30 January 2010
Kick-off: 1730 GMT
This evening’s game sees us away at a Burnley side on an 11-match run without a win, so we’ll be looking to put a bit of distance between us and the opposition who don’t play until tomorrow.
Owen Coyle’s departure has seen Burnley drop into the relegation places and new manager Brian Laws is still waiting for a point after his first three games in charge. No doubt Burnley would’ve preferred to play us in December then, when we were going through a decidedly dodgy spell because even with ACON to contend with this month, we’ve seen a complete upturn in our form.
MANAGERS’ VIEWS
Despite a disappointing start at Burnley, Brian Laws is hoping less salubrious surroundings than they’re used to, could be enough to put Chelsea off. Ahead of the game, Laws suggests “We have got to use every element we can, use our home advantage and hopefully we can make it uncomfortable for them. It there is a bit of hail, a bit of rain and a bit of wind then for us the weather will be perfect. They will not relish coming here – not many teams will. The dressing rooms have not changed since I was a player, even the colours are the same. I wouldn’t say they were unpleasant. Don’t get me wrong, we are not in the dark ages here. We have got light, we have got electricity, we have got a bit of warmth – but they are in our dressing room not in theirs! If I see any signs of negativity when they walk in I’ll be rubbing my hands.”
Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile, is clear he’ll have a game on his hands against a side battling to get away from a relegation fight and plans to focus on that before settling down to watch the box tomorrow. The Chelsea boss says “If we are able to win, any result between United and Arsenal is good for us. But the Arsenal game is not a decisive match in terms of the title because there are a lot of games until the end of the season. We could be in a very good position if we win our next two games. It won’t be easy though because Burnley and Hull are teams involved in the bottom of the table, so they will put strong pressure and determination into the game. So we have to pay attention. We played very well at home against Birmingham and Sunderland and we want to do the same away. Now we have more possibilities. We have one more point over Manchester United but we must respect the other teams. To be favourites for the title now is not important. We could be in a very good position if we win this game. Our job is to win and play well and then we will see a fantastic game between Manchester and Arsenal. I would like to watch it on television.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Burnley, Caldwell is out injured and both Alexander and McCann are suggested as doubtful. New signings Leon Cort and Nicky Weaver will be in the squad for the Clarets and Andre Bikey returns from ACON duty.
For Chelsea, Michael Essien, Jose Bosingwa and Juliano Belletti miss out through injury. Mikel remains absent through ACON duty and despite their return, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are rested for this one.
TEAMS
BURNLEY (from): Jensen, Weaver, Carlisle, Cort, Bikey, Edgar, Eagles, Elliott, McDonald, Fletcher, Duff, Blake, Thompson, Penny, Guerrero, Gudjonsson, Kalvenes, Eckersley, Rodriguez, McCann, Nugent, Paterson
CHELSEA (from): Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A. Cole, Ballack, Deco, Lampard, J. Cole, Malouda, Anelka, Sturridge, Borini, Ferreira, Alex, Zhirkov, Kakuta
LAST MEETING
Chelsea 3-0 Burnley (29 August 2009)
PREDICTION
This should be an easy one to predict really shouldn’t it? I mean, we seem to have found some form this month whilst Burnley are still looking for their first point, or even their first goal in 2010. But whilst this should be a dead cert, our players would do well to remember this is a side that beat United at the start of the season and to be fair to them, have lost just one from ten games at Turf Moor this season whilst we haven’t won away for two months.
REFEREE
Phil Dowd
