Dan Fitch / 29 January 2010 Free Bet View Market

Recommended Bets: Back Chelsea to be winning half time/full time @ 1.87; Back Lampard to score @ 2.75; Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.73.

The one thing that you can guarantee that the Premier League fixture list won't be is kind. Burnley's new boss Brian Laws knows this only too well, having got off to a tough start with his new club.

First he was treated to a debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford, before being dumped out of the FA Cup away at Reading and then in midweek, went head to head and lost against the former Burnley manager Owen Coyle, as Bolton beat them 1-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

Burnley have struggled away from home all season, so it would be a relief for Laws to finally take charge of his new team at Turf Moor, if that is, they weren't due to face top-of-the-table Chelsea.

Whilst Burnley are currently in freefall, having not won a Premier League game in their last 11 outings and consequently sliding into the relegation zone, Chelsea are in rude health.

There was some anticipation that Chelsea's squad might be stretched during the African Nations Cup, but instead they have won every game they've played in 2010 and are unbeaten in their last 7 league games.

On Wednesday they made short shrift of a potentially tricky challenge against Birmingham, winning 3-0. There's no reason to believe that they won't dispense of Burnley with equal ease, despite the home side's strong record at Turf Moor.

Burnley have lost only one home game this season and have beaten Manchester United, but having drawn all of their last four matches on home soil, then the signs suggest that their rugged resistance might be petering out.

The good news for Burnley is that although Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou have returned from Angola, neither will play this weekend. With Mikel still away with Nigeria and Essien and Belletti injured, Chelsea lack a dedicated defensive midfielder, so Deco should continue to deputise in the holding role.

For Burnley, Graham Alexander and Chris McCann are both doubts, while new signing Danny Fox did not complete his move from Celtic in time to be registered.

When the goalscorer markets gain more liquidity closer to kick off, expect Anelka to lead the betting to score first at [5.0] and [2.0] anytime, with Lampard [6.5] and [2.75] and Joe Cole [12.0] and [4.0]. For Burnley, David Nugent will be around [13.0] and [5.5].

At those prices Lampard is good value, having scored 5 goals in his last 4 games. Chelsea have broken the 2.5 goals barrier in 4 of their last 5 games and overs can be backed at [1.73], with under 2.5 at [2.32].

Burnley are [15.0] to win, with the draw at [5.7] and Chelsea [1.31]. With those odds for an away victory looking rather slim, I'd go with the [1.87] for Chelsea to be winning half time/full time, as they have achieved this in each of their last four games. The draw/Chelsea is available at [4.8].

Although Burnley have not scored in their last three games since Brian Laws took over, they have scored in every home game this season. They may meet their match in Chelsea, who have the best defensive away record in the league and can be backed at [1.85] to keep a clean sheet. Burnley are a distant [10.5] to do likewise.

2-0 to Chelsea is [6.4], with 3-0 at [9.0] and 3-1 at [13.5]. With Chelsea in great form in front of goal, any unquoted (any scoreline involving more than four goals) is available at [4.6].

I might be wrong, but with Owen Coyle having departed, I fear that Burnley may fall apart and struggle this season. Expect Chelsea to exploit any weaknesses.