Antonio Conte’s Chelsea pulled off a huge come back last weekend when they beat Southampton 3-2, after going 2-0 down early in the game. The win only takes them to within 8 points of the top-4, with a game in hand and the manager will hope that his side can finish the season on a winning run. However, they face a tricky trip to Turf Moor tomorrow, to face a Burnley, who are not too far away from a place in Europe next season.
Standing in the 7th place, just two points below Arsenal in 6th, The Clarets are now in the middle of a 5-game unbeaten run and will believe that they can take a point or even more from this clash. Chelsea cannot afford to drop points in the race to the top-4 and will set out their strongest XI for this game, despite the FA Cup semi-final this weekend. Here is the predicted lineup Conte might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, David Luiz and Drinkwater are both out injured and remain the only absentees ahead of this game for Chelsea.
Expected lineup (3-4-3):
Defence:
Thibaut Courtois was under pressure against Southampton and might have a similar game this weekend as well, against a well-drilled Burnley side. Andreas Christensen is now a regular in the first team for Chelsea and he will keep his place at the heart of the backline against Burnley.
Gary Cahill was tested all game last weekend and could be rested for this clash. He will be replaced by Antonio Rudiger while Cesar Azpilicueta will keep his place to the right of Christensen in the backline.
Midfield:
N’Golo Kante is one of the first names on the team sheet for Chelsea at the moment. He should start to give his side any chance of a result in this game. Cesc Fabregas played a decent role in the comeback and should retain his place alongside Kante against Burnley.
Marcos Alonso was recently named in the PFA Team of the Year and will need to put in a performance that shows why he is there. He will start at left wing-back while Victor Moses will have to add some width in the attack, on the right flank as a wing-back.
Attack:
Eden Hazard will be the biggest threat for Burnley in this clash. He will be assisted by Willian, who will start on the other flank.
Olivier Giroud won the game for Chelsea against Southampton and deserves to start this game over Alvaro Morata for Chelsea.
Here is how they might line up:
