Burnley – Chelsea

Monday night football in Premier League will see newcomers Burnley take on Chelsea to end the first round of the BPL.

Burnley finished second last season in the Championship and achieved direct promotion, I was a little bit surprised because I fancied other teams to overtake them but Burnley was excellent throughout the season and fully deserved their place. They had an excellent defense, best in the league and if they keep it up they can hope to avoid relegation this season. However they looked doomed if they don`t defend well (which they did not in friendlies), because they did not make impressive transfers and the squad quality is not really top notch.

Mourinho wants nothing less than the title this year, bringing in big name signings like Diego Costa or Fabregas to achieve his goal. Chelsea looks very good right now they generally played well in friendlies, but I think they will need some time to put together cohesiveness and playing relations. From the new signings, it`s likely that Costa, Fabregas and Filipe Luis will start.

Team news & lineups.

Both sides are close to full strength. Burnley will miss Vokes, Chelsea will be without Ramires and probably Drogba. It will be very interesting to see who starts in goal for Chelsea, as Mourinho has not yet decided if Cech or Courtois will be his number 1 goalkeeper for the season. As a personal opinion I`m guessing Chech will start.

Burnley: Heaton – Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee – Kightley, Marney, Taylor, Jones – Ings, Jutkiewicz.

Chelsea: Cech – Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis – Mikel, Matic – Hazard, Fabregas, Oscar – Costa.

The quality difference here is huge, but I don`t think it will be an easy game for Chelsea – meeting a newly promoted team in the first round, on the road, is always tough and we say how the favorites struggled in the opening round of the Premier League. Burnley will defend in numbers and try to snatch a draw, but I do think sheer quality will eventually get Chelsea trough. They should be able to score a goal to capitalize on constant pressure, and I don`t think a team managed by Mourinho will concede a goal against an offensive inept side like Burnley. Chelsea is a well organized team and should be able to keep a clean sheet. My tip is Chelsea to win to nil, the handicap is hard to cover and I already burnt myself like a rookie tipping handicap wins for Arsenal and Liverpool. Chelsea will also be aware of how the other favorites struggled in the weekend, so even more focus for the London side to stay safe at the back. Additionally, the odds on the visitors are rubbish in all honesty, so the “win to nil” pick is the only one who holds some value. Prediction: Burnley – Chelsea 0-1.

Pick: Chelsea to win to nil
Odds: 2.20 @ William Hill
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 8.4
Event date: 18 August