Chelsea will look to build on their win over the weekend when they travel to Turf Moor to take on a Sean Dyche-led Burnley side on Wednesday.
Only eight points separate both side on the Premier League table. Chelsea are nine points away from the Champions League spots in fifth place, with 60 points to their name, while Burnley are seventh, a mere two points behind fifth-placed Arsenal.
The match comes at a busy time for the Blues, who have to face Southampton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley on Sunday. Antonio Conte will undoubtedly try to rest some of his key players for that tie, whilst also trying to field the best possible starting XI on Wednesday.
David Luiz (knee), Danny Drinkwater (calf) and Ethan Ampadu (ankle) are all expected to miss out through injury. Another player certain to miss out on Wednesday’s clash is Marcos Alonso, who has been charged by the FA with violent conduct for a tackle on Shane Long in last week’s victory at St. Mary’s.
Thibaut Courtois is almost certain to start in goal. Antonio Rudiger is expected to come back into the starting XI in place of Gary Cahill, while Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are expected to retain their places in the back-three.
Victor Moses is also expected to return to the starting lineup at right wing-back, while Emerson Palmieri should be handed a rare start on the opposite flank. Conte confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the former AS Roma full-back would feature against the Clarets.
“Tomorrow Emerson will play. I think he is ready in both the physical and the tactical aspect. I don’t know if he’s ready to play games every two or three days just yet but tomorrow against Burnley is our focus and for sure, he is ready to play this game.”
N’Golo Kante is expected to be rested for this tie and Cesc Fabregas is likely going to be teamed up with Tiemoue Bakayoko in midfield. Pedro and Ross Barkley are expected to come into the starting XI in central attacking positions while Olivier Giroud should lead the line after his heroics against Southampton last week.
