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After a bright start to their first top-flight campaign in 33 years, Burnley have been in a free fall lately. Manager Owen Coyle left the club, and the Clarets have yet to produce a win for new manager Brian Laws. A three match losing skid in the Premier League has seen the Clarets fall into the relegation zone at the worst possible time as first place Chelsea comes knocking with their potent offence. The Blues have won five of their last six fixtures in all competitions with a draw as well. Chelsea have outscored their opponents 19-3 during that stretch, including winning their last two Premier League matches by a combined 10-2 score. Kickoff between the two is set for 17:30 local time at Turf Moor in Burnley, England.

Burnley traveled to the Reebok Stadium during the midweek to face former manager Owen Coyle and his new side for the first time. The atmosphere surrounding the match was tense as many of the Clarets' fans carried signs relating Coyle to Judas and chanted "Judas, Judas, Judas" at Coyle throughout the match. It would be Coyle and Bolton who had the final say though as Chung-Yong Lee scored for the Trotters in the 35th minute to hand Burnley a 1-0 defeat. Chelsea hosted the Premier League's hottest side during the midweek when they hosted Birmingham City. The Blues returned to the top of the Premier League table after a convincing 3-0 victory over a City side that had a 15 match unbeaten streak snapped. Florent Malouda headed home a Joe Cole cross in the fifth minute to take a 1-0 lead. Frank Lampard doubled Chelsea's lead with a laser strike from outside the box in the 32nd minute. Chelsea dominated throughout as Birmingham's best chances came during a five minute stretch midway through the second half. As City pressed for a goal late on Chelsea took advantage with Malouda finding an open Lampard in the box who calmly slotted home his second of the match in the 90th minute, sealing a 3-0 victory.

Burnley will be without Graham Alexander on Saturday as he struggles to regain fitness while Chris McCann could be back for the Clarets. New signing Danny Fox has not received clearance in time to play this weekend but Andre Bikey has returned from the African Cup of Nations after Cameroon's exit from the tournament. Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou have returned from the Cup of Nations as well but aren't expected to figure in Chelsea's lineup until their Tuesday fixture against Hull City. Deco is expected to start in the midfield again as Juliano Belletti remains sidelined with a knee injury. In 89 competitive meetings, Burnley actually hold the edge over Chelsea with 36 wins compared to 31 wins for the Blues. The last time these two met at Turf Moor in the top-flight was in August 1974 when Chelsea won 2-1.

Chelsea has a tremendous opportunity this weekend to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Blues enter play on Saturday with a one point lead over Manchester United and a two point lead over Arsenal with the two sides facing each other on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium. Burnley's hopes of survival in the Premier League are dwindling as they are winless in their last 11 league fixtures and have fallen to 18th in the league table.