Cole Palmer agreement reached as Joao Pedro stars in Chelsea vs Burnley prediction

Our Chelsea writers do their best at predicting how the Blues' important Premier League meeting with struggling Burnley will go on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge

Liam Rosenior is looking to continue his impressive start to life as Chelsea head coach on Saturday afternoon, with Burnley the visitors to Stamford Bridge.

Rosenior has taken charge of 11 matches - in all competitions - since being appointed Blues boss last month, and his side have won eight in that period. Last time out in the Premier League, Chelsea squandered a two-goal lead at home to Leeds United, and Rosenior will be desperate for his team to bounce back.

They need to as well with Liverpool and Manchester United, their main rivals for those fourth and fifth spots in the table, in action later in the weekend to try and put pressure on Chelsea. With all of this being said, our Chelsea panel of Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss what they expect to see at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

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Bobby Vincent

On paper, everything points towards a home win. What this season has shown us, though, is that there are no easy victories in this league. That is the brutal reality.

Saying that, I do expect Chelsea to get the job done on Saturday. Burnley will come with a low block and look to hurt the Blues when possible on the counter. Rosenior will know this, and the extra training time he has had this week with his players would have been focused on breaking down a deep defensive line.

An early goal would do Chelsea the world of good and would prevent restlessness from creeping in among the home supporters. What you most want to see from Chelsea is an early lead and control of the game. No silly mistakes at the back. And I think that will be the case.

It could be a game where Cole Palmer needs to show his magic in order to break Burnley's low block down. The 23-year-old, despite his late miss against Leeds, has been in fantastic form in his last two appearances - and I expect more of the same from Chelsea's No.10 on Saturday afternoon. Burnley attacker Jaidon Anthony is a threat, so Chelsea will need to be aware of him when the Clarets do attack.

Apart from that, I think this will be rather straightforward for Chelsea. Perhaps I'm being naive, though, given my earlier explanation about there being no easy games in the Premier League.

Bobby's prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley

Jake Stokes

Chelsea can't afford to give Burnley a sniff at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon; otherwise, they could lose control of the game and, more importantly, potentially lose crucial points in the race for qualification to the UEFA Champions League.

Even if the Blues think they've wrapped up the game by half-time, they mustn't get complacent. The clash against Leeds United earlier this month was the perfect example of how a game can flip on its head in just a couple of minutes.

Of course, Daniel Farke's side had more to play for, with survival a genuine possibility, but they smelled the blood in the water and capitalised on the momentum swing. If Chelsea can weather the storm in the opening quarter of an hour or so, as well as any brief moments in the second half, I think Rosenior's side could run riot.I have no doubt that the Blues will be well set up. My only fear is that a lapse of concentration in the opening minutes or a silly tackle in the second half could prove costly.I think we could see goals from Palmer and Joao Pedro and an inevitable late dagger by Lesley Ugochukwu against his former club...

Jake's prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Burnley

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