Date: Saturday 21st February 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Well, here we are again: Stamford Bridge. Chelsea v Burnley. The fixture that puts hair on your chest – or pulls it out, depending on which minute we concede.
With the Champions League play-offs avoided, the squad return after a restful breather following our FA Cup victory over Hull – hopefully not too chilled from their time off. Let’s cross our fingers they haven’t mistaken today’s game for a Sunday stroll, given our knack for gifting points to anyone with a postcode in the lower half of the Premier League. Remember Leeds? That charitable draw continues to haunt us along with our apparent inability to play for more than half a game.
But it’s not all doom and gloom – just unpredictability. Chelsea have dropped 15 points at home after taking the lead this season, so if you fancy edge-of-your-seat entertainment (or heartburn), you’re in the right place.
Meanwhile, Burnley’s last trip to London saw them fight back from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2. Clearly, they’re here for drama. They’ve frustrated us on more than a couple of occasions at Stamford Bridge – so brace yourselves!
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Liam Rosenior says “I looked at the players’ schedules over the past 18 months. That was my idea. I thought it was the right thing for the players considering the workload they’ve had. I encouraged the players to go and get some sun. Sometimes it is the best way to rejuvenate. It’s February. There is plenty of time. It’s not going to be simple. This is a strong league. We have to take care of our business regardless of what time we play.”
We need to do our job. It’s not going to be simple. Burnley went away to Crystal Palace and won. You’ve watched Wolves [draw with Arsenal], this is a strong league. You’ve watched Wolves in their performance and we have to take care of our business regardless of what time we play. I don’t think it’s just complacency. I thought Wolves were outstanding. I watched the game, this is such a strong league now, every team can beat everyone. That’s why the league is so close in terms of points between so many teams. What we have to do is we have to focus on our own performance, we have to make sure that we prepare ourselves right. But the way I like to do it is to be consistent in our process, whether we’re playing Wolves, whether we’re playing Burnley, whether we’re playing Manchester City, Arsenal, our process is the same. It has to be that way for you to be consistent in your performance.”
Burnley manager, Scott Parker, meanwhile, says “I had some time there at Chelsea. Good experience. A fantastic football club and obviously going up against Liam, who’s done fantastically well in a short space of time there as well. And seeing him develop as a young coach, I came across him when he was an assistant with Wayne [Rooney] at Derby. So, he’s been in his company and done remarkably well at Strasbourg, going abroad, and with what that feels like, certainly. So, yeah, he’s done well and we’re looking forward to the game for sure.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Levi Colwill (ACL), Jamie Gittens (thigh), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), Marc Cucurella (hamstring) and Filip Jorgensen all remain out through injury. Mykhaylo Mudryk remains suspended.
For Burnley, Connor Roberts (Achilles), Mike Tresor (ankle), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Axel Tuanzebe (heel) and Josh Cullen (knee) all miss out.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro
BURNLEY (Possible line-up): Dubravka; Laurent, Worral, Esteve; Walker, Ugochukwu, Hannibal, Humphreys; Edwards, Anthony; Flemming
LAST SEASON
N/A
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: LWWWWD
BURNLEY: DDDLLW
OTHER STUFF
Chelsea have lost just one of their 19 Premier League games against Burnley
Seven of Burnley’s eight Premier League points against Chelsea have come at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have already lost to 2 of the 3 promoted sides this season
Burnley have conceded at least twice in each of their last eight Premier League away games against London sides.
Chelsea have dropped more points from winning positions in Premier League home games than any other side this season
Burnley haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 23 Premier League away games
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 3-1 Burnley