Chelsea v Burnley Betting Tips: Home side to edge narrow affair

On paper, this match between champions Chelsea and Burnley looks very one-sided. However, I think it could be a closer game than many think.

Chelsea are of course the champions going into this season but they have had a rather strange transfer window this summer. Nemanja Matic, a key figure from last year’s title win, has left for pastures new whilst striker Diego Costa has been told he is no longer wanted. In terms of players in, Alvaro Morata has arrived from Real Madrid but, unfortunately for him, he was clearly the second option behind Romelu Lukaku who joined Manchester United. It will be interesting to see how quickly it takes the Spaniard to adapt to England. Other key arrivals include Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The Blues were fantastic in both boxes last season with 85 goals scored and just 33 conceded in their 38 matches. However, the performances of the now-departed Matic and Costa were a big factor in that form so it will be interesting to see what happens this time around. Thankfully for Chelsea though, they have still kept hold of Eden Hazard who was probably the best attacking player in England during the last campaign.

Antonio Conte’s side were sublime at Stamford Bridge last season with just two defeats in the league and they are undoubtedly the heavy favourites here.

Burnley defied the odds to stay in the Premier League on their limited budget in the 2016/17 campaign and survival will once again be the main aim going into this term. They have recruited experienced players includinJonathan Walters and Phil Bardsley – both arriving from Stoke. However, they have arguably lost their main goal threat in Andre Gray as he has moved to Watford in an £18m move whilst key central defender Michael Keane has joined Everton.

Defensive solidity and organisation was the main reason behind Sean Dyche’s men’s survival last season with 55 goals conceded – fewer than all but one of the bottom ten sides. Although there is no doubt that the loss of Michael Keane will have an impact on Burnley, Dyche’s methods are very much based on defending as a team rather than having outstanding individuals so I expect them to adjust to Keane’s absence relatively quickly.

One thing that the Clarets really must improve on this time around is their away form which was horrendous last season with just one win on their travels. Going to Chelsea is hardly the ideal place to put the record straight.

Although I expect Chelsea to win, I think they may struggle to break down a strong Burnley outfit on enough occasions to score a hatful of goals. With this in mind, I think Chelsea to Win and Under 2.5 Goals Total looks good at 11/4.