Chelsea travel to Turf Moor in the hope of completing a perfect January, by defeating Burnley in a late kick off in the Premier league this afternoon.
The home side lost manager Owen Coyle to Bolton Wanderers after the sacking of Gary Megson and are threatened by relegation, whilst the home side welcome back Didier Drogba, looking to make up for lost time in the golden boot race.
Chelsea are coming off a clinical 3-0 win over Birmingham whilst Burnley were defeated by Coyle’s Bolton last time out. Former Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws is now in charge.
Carlo Ancelotti may well have both Drogba and Salomon Kalou as his disposal, though the Blues have been mightily impressive in their absence. Indeed, Nicolas Anelka has scored five in his last five matches.
Graeme Alexander and Chris McCann were both missing for the Bolton match and Laws will be hoping that at least one of the two will be fit for a midfield battle against some of the best.
Chelsea haven’t played a top flight match at Turf Moor since August 1974, where they won 2-1. Substitute Ian Hutchinson scored the winner with five minutes remaining. Chelsea’s last match there of any description was in the Second Division in 1982/1983, going down 3-0.
The reverse fixture this season saw Chelsea run out easy 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge, thanks to goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole.
A similar result away from home is paying a slim 2/7 with Ladbrokes, whilst the draw is at 9/2. A shock Burnley win is paying very long odds of 9/1.
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