Only a handful of matches remain for the Blues to make it to the Champions League. As of now, even with an extra game played, they sit just outside of the top-four, below Arsenal. Hope is not lost yet, as Spurs, the third-placed team in the table, has just one point extra and both Arsenal and Spurs have European fixtures to worry about.
Burnley is on quite some form with their last three games ending in wins. They stand quite clear of the exit line and just need to see through the next set of games without some major disaster. Given they are going against a determined Chelsea, on the road, this week, might take their air out of them, but surely Burnley has other easier games to compensate with.
Chelsea must somehow qualify for the Champions League. They are quite near to their target, and to lose it out of their grasp now would be heartbreaking to the fans.The team was unbeaten in 11 of their last 13 games and won eight of their last eleven. At home, their record is even more impressive – the Blues are unbeaten in their last seven attempts, and won four of their last five. On top of that, they were unbeaten in 24 of their last 26 home ties too.
On the other hand, while Burnley won their last three matches in a row, the four fixtures before that were losses. Going on, they remained winless in 19 of their last 23 road trips. In h2h games, Chelsea has been the far superior side. They recorded six of the last seven wins, and have scored in every single tie. Even better, Chelsea registered two or more goals in eight of the last ten h2h ties, and in three of the last four at this venue.
So, with their Champions League future hanging in the balance, count on the Blues to rise to the occasion, and make use of their home advantage. A dominating and relaxing win for the hosts is in order.