Just to upset Mensa - the Chelsea Match Preview.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Clarets Mad - Clarets v Chelsea, English Premier League Match Preview.
Venue: Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, Fulham, London SW6 1HS.
Kick-off – 15-00 - 30th March 2024.

When Saturday arrives, Burnley will be without Claret fans’ new cult-hero Blues loanee David Datro Fofana, who cannot turn out for the Clarets against his own parent club. Fofana is the perfect answer to a relegation threatened team, he always plays with a huge smile on his face and is more than capable of scoring a goal a game. Burnley will miss his services on Saturday in more ways than one.

On the other hand, Lyle Foster is likely to lead the Burnley line following his recovery from physical and mental issues. Zeki Amdouni and Wilson Odobert should both feature because of Fofana’s unlucky absence. Talismanic Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge has hit form at exactly the right time and in tandem with Eire’s Josh Cullen, Burnley have rediscovered the art of midfield competitiveness.

The EPL’s quite preposterous handling of alleged Financial Fair Play misdemeanours and thoroughly inconsistent penalties have seemingly handed the Clarets a lifeline from relegation. Despite a torrid season the Clarets can still pull off the unimaginable and beat the dreaded drop.

Everton and Nottingham Forest have both suffered point deductions which may yet prove to be crucial in how the final EPL league table concludes. It does however appear unlikely that the EPL have the resolve or desire to penalise the Arab owned, Guardiola inspired Blues of Manchester. The age-old adage of one rule for the rich and one for the poor comes readily to my mind.

One’s to watch: For both teams there may be the almost inevitable injury absences caused by participation in the latest round of international fixtures. Cole Palmer rested by Southgate against Belgium because of injury will be fit to play, so too will England’s Ben Chilwell. Early news suggests Burnley are almost injury free.

Verdict: Assuming there is nothing major on the injury front, Chelsea boss Pochettino will still be able to field a very strong starting eleven. The Blues remain within touching distance of a place for one of the available European spaces, despite their present lowly 11th-place standing. They will, however, surely have on their mind an imminent FA semi-final against Manchester City, which may prove enough of a distraction to aid the Clarets when the whistle blows on Saturday afternoon.

Vincent Kompany’s team are fighting for their lives, Chelsea despite their profuse spending the Blues are still woefully inconsistent. Notwithstanding the hammering the Blues dished out to the Clarets at Turf Moor early in the season I’m going for a surprise 2-1 away win.

Footnote: Which self-respecting Burnley fan can ever forget the penalty shoot-out at The Bridge which saw Owen Coyle’s Clarets continue their League Cup run with a late-night win? The cup run will forever be known in Burnley as the “Capital Punishment” journey to the semi-finals of the competition where Burnley eventually lost a two-legged encounter against Tottenham Hotspur under the most unfortunate of circumstances. If you know, you know.

Whatever the outcome of Saturday’s match, if you are attending - enjoy the game. (TEC).

[outwoodclaret]

Chelsea may have some key figures injured but with a squad size that is as fat and long as most of their players contracts they should still be too strong for us. Sterling is the one who really worries me. After the stick he got from Chelsea fans at the Leicester game he will be wanting some payback and you don’t need to be a member of Mensa to work that out.

[boringbas]

good play, but you are getting relegated. Sunderland till i die

[The Bedlington Terrier]

good play, but you are getting relegated. Sunderland till i die

I thought we'd gone at Christmas but with 8 games left and only 4 points adrift I'm living in hope.

Without the EPL referees taking the pi$$ throughout the entire season we would be in no bother whatsoever.

[alfinyalcabo]

good play, but you are getting relegated. Sunderland till i die

Listen here Mackem,make sure you beat the Bastids tomorrow.

[lancaster100]

BT injury free you are joking what about Dakhil, Koleosho, Ekdal, Breyer and There are others unless you are suggesting they are swinging the lead

[The Bedlington Terrier]

BT injury free you are joking what about Dakhil, Koleosho, Ekdal, Breyer and There are others unless you are suggesting they are swinging the lead

Long term injuries are not worth mentioning Sir Lancy. No idea what's up with Al-Dakhil, Ekdal & Beyer. 3 mard arses I reckon. Koleosho's recovery schedule was well documented in the media last week.

He is unlikely to play again this season, he's barely walking.

[lancaster100]

BT totally agree with you they really are mark arses. It is their attitude why we are where we are. Should be ashamed with themselves.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

BT totally agree with you they really are mark arses. It is their attitude why we are where we are. Should be ashamed with themselves.

I know O'Shea gets a lot of stick from Burnley fans but the lad always gives 100% and IMHO is getting better with every game. Al Dakhil, Beyer & Ekdal - not so.

[sinkov]

I know O'Shea gets a lot of stick from Burnley fans but the lad always gives 100% and IMHO is getting better with every game.

For which improvement I have to claim credit, it's not long since I wrote him off on here as 'Championship standard at best', the criticism must have stung, since then he's bucked his ideas up no end.

You're welcome.