London, Aug 27: English Premier League giants Chelsea FC take on minnows Burnley FC in a crucial game week 3 encounter on Saturday (August 27) evening. [EPL 2016-17: Schedule of Game week 3]
Chelsea's progress in the current has not been upto the mark. Even though the Blues won both their matches, their performance has not been impressive. Both victories came in the dying moments of the match.
In the last game, after trailing by a goal to nil, Antonio Conte's men came back strongly in the ending moments to seal the fate of the match.
Sean Dyche's Burnley FC on the other hand will be high on confidense after they defeated giants Liverpool last week 2-0. They are currently in the 8th position in the league table with 3 points from 2 matches.
Team News
Chelsea are likely to retain the same starting XI which they had fielded in the previous week. Willian, who was out of action last week due to a hamstring injury will be back today. But it is unlikely that he will start today.
Antonio Conte will field his side in a 4-1-4-1 formation.Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta will be in the Blues backline. N'Golo Kante will be the central defensive midfielder.
The front four midfielders will be Eden Hazard, Oscar, Nemanja Matic and Pedro. Diego Costa will the striker upfront.
It will be interesting to see if Conte replaces Oscar with Cesc Fabregas as the Spaniard played brilliantly last week. Fabregas' last moment defense splitting pass to Costa earned Chelsea their vital three points.
Sean Dyce is likely to field Burnley in the traditional English 4-4-2 formation. The two striker policy is working pretty well for the club as they produced quality football last week against Liverpool. The forward duo of Andre Gray and Sam Vokes is likely to impose threat on the Chelsea defense.
Predicted Line-ups
Chelsea FC starting XI
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante; Pedro, Nemanja Matic, Oscar, Eden Hazard
Striker: Diego Costa
Burnley FC starting XI
Goalkeeper: Tom Heaton
Defenders: Matthew Lowton, Michael Keane, Ben Mee, Stephen Ward
Midfielders: Dean Marney, Steven Defour, Scott Arfield, George Boyd
Strikers: Andre Gray, Sam Vokes
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