If Chelsea FC are actually serious about landing a spot in Europe for next season, they have to get moving now! Heading into the weekend home fixture against Burnley FC, they’re only three points behind Brighton & Hove Albion for eighth place.
The way things are shaping up right now, it looks like finishing in position eight could just earn you a UEFA Europa Conference League berth.
Chelsea vs Burnley FC FYIs
Kickoff: Sat. March 30, 4pm, Stamford Bridge, London, UK
Chelsea Preview Material: Fitness Report Part 1 Part 2 Team News XI Prediction Latest Headlines
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
PL Position, Form: Chelsea 11th, 39 pts, WDDWL Burnley FC 19th, 17 pts, WDLLL
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 74% Draw 16% Burnley FC 10%
Of course, there are two teams in between Chelsea and Brighton in the table, so Mauricio Pochettino’s men will have to leapfrog them as well. Taking on a Burnley FC side that has been very poor this season, anything but a win is a total disaster for Chelsea here.
Here is what is likely the strongest side possible for Chelsea, given all their injuries, to avert such a fate.
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction vs Burnley FC
Robert Sanchez; Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher; Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer; Nicolas Jackson
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Twitter.