PREVIEW: Chelsea look to narrow gap to top three against Burnley | OneFootball

Chelsea host strugglers Burnley in a bid to re-enter the Premier League’s top four while pushing their visitors one match closer to relegation back to the Championship at Stamford Bridge.

The Liam Rosenior effect has come into force, but after winning four on the bounce the Blues threw away a two-goal advantage in their 2-2 draw with Leeds United last time out.

That disappointing result meant Chelsea stay outside of the top four, where they are just one point behind Manchester United and six behind third placed Aston Villa.

Chelsea are yet to lose under Rosenior in the league and another match at Stanford Bridge will give further confidence to his side that they can continue that impressive vein of from.

However, Chelsea are remarkably better away from home than they are at the Bridge and rank 3rd in the away form table.

Their result against Leeds proved they still aren’t flawless – their metal will be tested yet again as they face a Burnley side fighting for their Premier League lives.

Rosenior will have been boosted by the news that Romeo Lavia has returned from his long-term injury and is now training on grass, albeit this fixture with Burnley is far too soon for the Belgian international.

There are injuries concerns elsewhere on the pitch however, winger Byone-Gittens is out with a hamstring injury as is full-back mainstay Marc Cucurella and both will be unavailable for the weekend.

Burnley have had their fare share of injury issues throughout the season and still have plenty to contend with as they enter the final third of the season.

Record signing Armando Broja is out with a knock and won’t feature, defender Axel Tuanzebe is still unavailable with a calf knock which has caused further problems for their already struggling defence.

Elsewhere, winger Connor Roberts continues to be out after a season blighted by his injuries.

Scott Parker’s side were handed a boost in their bid to stay up after they managed three goals in the space of 10 minutes away at Crystal Palace last week and hope to cause a huge upset this time around.

But having lost nine of the thirteen away games this season, Burnley’s win over Palace was the Clarets first win in 17 games since they saw victory over bottom club Wolves back in October.

The Clarets have conceded 51 goals this season, which is the most in the entire league, meaning memories of their iron clad Championship defence seems a distant memory.

Chelsea will be smelling blood regardless of Burnley’s impressive victory at Selhurst Park, upon which they desperately need to build upon if they are to complete an unlikely escape.