Burnley v Chelsea: Clarets to pounce upon Blues' weakness

BURNLEY host Chelsea in Saturday's evening Premier League kick-off. Chris Clark (@ChrisClark1975) shares his verdict.

Burnley v Chelsea | Saturday 26th October 2019, 17:30 | Sky Sports

There's no denying that Chelsea are on an excellent run of form, as they travel to Turf Moor on Saturday evening. The Blues have won the last six in all competitions, but they're going from facing the total football of Ajax on Wednesday night, to the run, sweat, tackle, sweat, another tackle, of Burnley.

As we all know that's the Burnley way.

Chelsea are beginning to show the makings of a top four side under Frank Lampard. Whilst the transfer ban has worked in his and the club's favour, there is no doubt the affect his man-management and the abilities of his coaching staff are having on the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, and Callum Hudson-Odoi. I could go on!

Even players derided by Chelsea fans last season – Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic – are having excellent season's so far. It's all looking rosy it would seem, however this is the kind of fixture Sean Dyche and Burnley love. Chelsea have a weakness. Burnley know it. Lampard knows it, and you can bet Dyche knows it.

Chelsea are defensively weak on crosses, and set-pieces. Whilst this record may have improved in recent performances, it's still an achilles heel. Chelsea have conceded three goals this season from set-pieces, and also three goals from open play with crosses fired into the box.

Meanwhile, Burnley have scored four goals from headers this season. Add to that pot that Chris Wood has scored with 75% of his headed opportunities at goal (three out of four). Wood started the season slowly with no goals in this opening five matches, but in his last four games, he's hit four. He's a man on form.

However, one slight doubt for this match is Wood's hamstring. He's being assessed, but if he plays, I can see great value in the Kiwi scoring at anytime. He's best priced at 5/2 with Paddy Power.

Earlier I mentioned that Chelsea are showing the qualities of a top four side, and a major part of being in the top four is goals from the bench when you're struggling in matches. Lampard seems to have got that in Michy Batshuyai. He's scored four in seven appearances. Meanwhile, it was interesting to see Christian Pulisic have a major impact following the midweek win.

Pulisic is an excellent footballer and is a great option from the bench. Chelsea now have a multitude of attacking options, and that shows in their shots on-target figures. They've had 58 shots on-target, only second to Man City who are streets ahead on 70.

So whilst Burnley will be their normal tight defensive unit at Turf Moor, they won't be able to stop this Chelsea attack, be it the Blues starting XI or their excellent bench.

Burnley have only conceded at Turf Moor against Liverpool this season, they've kept clean sheets against Southampton, Norwich and Everton. So when top four attacking quality turns up at Turf Moor, Burnley concede.

However, after Chelsea's tough midweek match, and Burnley having a week off, and Chelsea's weakness at defending crosses the value is in this being a Draw and Both Teams To Score at 4/1 with BetVictor.