Chelsea played their first man under new manager Thomas Tuchel but they failed to pick up a win, being held to a 0-0 draw by Wolves at home. And next up, they have yet another home match, this time against Burnley on Sunday.
The Blues have just managed one win in their last five Premier League matches meaning Tuchel will desperately want to pick up all three points this weekend so that he can maintain a realistic chance of finishing in the top-four.
Burnley, on the other hand, go into this game at the back of two superb Premier League wins over Liverpool and then against Aston Villa. They also knocked Fulham out of the FA Cup last weekend.
Thomas Tuchel used a 3-4-2-1 formation vs Wolves and could stick to the same tactics against Burnley as well. But we have a feeling the new manager will tinker with his starting XI once again, just to see the abilities of each one of his first-team players.
Chelsea team news vs Burnley:
Silva, Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger started in a three-man defence on Wednesday but if there’s a change in formation then Azpilicueta will move to the bench as Reece James comes into the side at right-back.
Ben Chilwell will operate as a conventional left-back after having played as the wing-back vs Wolves in midweek.
Mateo Kovacic was the star player for Chelsea against Wolves and will keep his place in the starting line-up this weekend alongside Jorginho. N’Golo Kante has almost fully recovered from his thigh injury but we doubt if Tuchel will use him on Sunday.
Mason Mount started on the bench in midweek and if rotation is the way to go then the new boss will hand him a start as well. If Mount comes into midfield then Kai Havertz will move to the bench who had yet another poor performance for the Blues against Wolves.
Hudson-Odoi was another class act for Chelsea on Wednesday and he too could keep his place on the left wing with Hakim Ziyech playing on the right-hand side.
Olivier Giroud was preferred up front against Santo’s men but on Sunday, Thomas Tuchel could call Timo Werner into the starting line-up.
Stats via Whoscored.com.
