Chelsea will be hosting Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon for matchday 10 of the 2021-22 Premier League season. The Blues look to continue and improve on their fine form in the Premier League. They are currently top of the table, picking up 25 points from their opening 10 matches, while Burnley sit at 18th, having collected just seven points from their first 10 games of 2021-22.
Chelsea also picked up a 1-0 win over Malmö FF in their fourth Champions League group game to solidify their chances to qualify for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. The reigning European champions are looking to compete on all fronts this season under the leadership of Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea have been one of the best defensive units in the Premier League so far and have only conceded three goals in the 10 games they have played. Out of the three goals conceded, the ones against Liverpool and Southampton were from the penalty spot. They have only conceded one goal from open play so far and have the lowest xG against them in the league, and have only conceded 0.277 goals per 90 minutes. Chelsea have kept seven clean sheets so far and will be a tough unit to break.
The Blues have an overall xG of 17.44 so far this season, the fourth-highest in the league. On the other hand, the Clarets have an xG of just 13.22. Also, Chelsea have managed to score more than double the goals of Burnley, and have had 15 different goal scorers in the league alone, 18 in all competitions. This shows the attacking prowess of Chelsea over the other Premier League teams.
Burnley claimed their first win of the season last time out when they saw off Brentford 3-1 at home. Before that, Sean Dyche’s men picked up four draws and lost five of their opening nine league outings of the season. Despite the win, Burnley remain in 18th place, three points below Leeds United, just outside the relegation zone. 
The Clarets have attempted the most aerial duels in the league and have also won the most duels. These aerial duels are not only while defending their goal but are also in the final third inside the opposition’s penalty area. Even if Burnley do not see more of the ball and are unable to dominate possession of the game, one good ball into the penalty area from a set piece situation can help them score and turn around any game. The Chelsea defenders are aware of this threat from aerial duels.
So far, after the 10 games, Chelsea are leading the pack, three points clear at the top ahead of Liverpool. They have the second-best attack and the best defense in the entire division. Burnley, on the other hand, have struggled this season in the league. They currently occupy the 18th spot in the standings, with just seven points from their 10 games. They are three points away from safety at the moment and will look to salvage a point out of their game against the Blues.
Chelsea’s Predicted starting lineup (3-4-3): GK: Edouard Mendy; CBs: Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Thiago silva, RWB: Greece James, CDMs: Kante, Jorginho, LWB: Chilwell, LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi, ST: Kai Havertz, RW: Hakim Ziyech
Burnley’s Predicted starting lineup (4-4-2): GK: Nick Pope; LB: Charlie Tayloe, CBs: Ben Mee, James Tarkowski, RB: Mathew Lowton, LW: Dwight McNeil, Josh Brownhill, RW: Johan Gudmundson, CFs: Maxwel Cornet, Chris Wood
