Striker Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are poised to return for Chelsea as the league leaders look to strengthen their position at the top of the table. The Blues have hit top form this month and are bidding for a sixth successive victory, while Burnley could give a debut to new signing Leon Cort in defence as boss Brian Laws aims for his first win since taking charge at Turf Moor.

Quick Check

Burnley

  • Leon Cort is set to make his debut after joining from Stoke in midweek.
  • Chris McCann and Graham Alexander are hopeful of overcoming niggling injuries.
  • Defender Andre Bikey is back in contention after returning from the African Cup of Nations.
  • Burnley have drawn their last four home games 1-1.
  • Stephen Jordan is still an injury doubt in defence.
  • Michael Duff is a fitness concern.
  • Steven Caldwell is out for another week with a groin problem.
  • The Clarets have not won in their last 11 league games - five draws and six defeats.
  • Burnley are still searching for their victory under new boss Brian Laws.
  • The Clarets have won only one of their last seven meetings with Chelsea.

Chelsea

  • Strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are back in contention after returning from the African Cup of Nations.
  • Chelsea beat Burnley 3-0 at home when the sides met in August.
  • England star Frank Lampard has scored twice in his last two league appearances.
  • Striker Nicolas Anelka has scored five goals in his last five games.
  • Chelsea have scored 19 goals in their last five matches and won all of them.
  • The Blues have won all 19 games in which midfielder Florent Malouda has scored.
  • Carlo Ancelotti’s side has kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches.
  • Jon-Obi Mikel is still away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.
  • Midfielder Michael Essien will be out for at least another month with a knee problem.
  • Ancelotti’s team has already lost three matches away from home this season.
  • Full back Jose Bosingwa is out until next month with a knee injury.

Expert Advice

Brian Laws has already faced some tough assignments since taking over the managerial reins at Burnley and they don’t come much harder than Chelsea with Carlo Ancelotti’s side in rampant form at the moment. The Clarets will be boosted by the presence of Leon Cort and Andre Bikey in defence but they look likely to need more than that to stop the visitors scoring - something nobody has managed to do so far this season. While the home team are on a wretched run at the moment, the opposite is true of the Blues who are demolishing all in their way at the moment and it would be a major shock if they didn’t claim the points. Chelsea will start at short odds so Betsson’s price of 2.6 for there to be over 3.5 goals looks a better value bet.

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