Closed Burnley v Chelsea

[ParNolio7 285]

Luis could start but I think we'll go conservative in the first match.

I can follow your other points, but here I think you're wrong. Luis gonna be a certainty I think. Think he took away the last doubts (if there were any) yesterday night. Fantastic crosses into the box and an absurd tackle to keep Real Sociedad from pulling one back. Defensive- and offensively impressive. We'd be foolish not to start him. I think defense will be lined up the way you put it in your wish team. Maybe Ivanovic for Azpi. But I'd go with Azpi.

[Jase 43,479]

Is Rami suspended for this game?

Yes. He'll be back available against Leicester.

EDIT: Here's the link - http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27151054

The 27-year-old will serve a four-match ban after a review panel decision.

Ramires will now miss Chelsea's remaining Premier League fixtures this term - against Liverpool, Norwich and Cardiff - as well as their first game of next season.

Edited August 13, 2014 by Jason

[The only place to be 11,313]

I can follow your other points, but here I think you're wrong. Luis gonna be a certainty I think. Think he took away the last doubts (if there were any) yesterday night. Fantastic crosses into the box and an absurd tackle to keep Real Sociedad from pulling one back. Defensive- and offensively impressive. We'd be foolish not to start him. I think defense will be lined up the way you put it in your wish team. Maybe Ivanovic for Azpi. But I'd go with Azpi.

I actually think you make a great point. I just think this is one match in 38 so no reason not to go with what worked last season, but I'd be happy either way.

What we have all over the pitch (with the exception of striker) is options. When Rafa was here everyone predicted the team with ease because we had about 14 players we could rely on. Now we have choices to be made all over the pitch.

Tactical flexibility.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Pretty confident this team will start

Courtois

Ivanovic - Cahill - Terry - Luis

Fabregas - Matic

Willian - Oscar - Hazard

Costa

but if Ramires wasn't suspended i think he would have started in a 4-3-3

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Pretty confident this team will start

Courtois

Ivanovic - Cahill - Terry - Luis

Fabregas - Matic

Willian - Oscar - Hazard

Costa

but if Ramires wasn't suspended i think he would have started in a 4-3-3

Exactly

And if we need a goal in the 2nd half, Schurrle comes on for Oscar.

I feel ivanovic is actually more attackminded than azpi so he will play.

[iseah100 5,612]

@MatchStory: In their last 10 opening day fixtures @chelseafc have dropped 2 points from a possible 30 and have conceded 3 goals.

[ParNolio7 285]

Damnit, why does counting off last so long and the actual matches so short??

[Viper22 2,418]

@MatchStory: In their last 10 opening day fixtures @chelseafc have dropped 2 points from a possible 30 and have conceded 3 goals.

Wtf Swansea? And Everton's isn't great either for a top 6 club. As a side note, hahahahahahaha at Spurs.

[Viper22 2,418]

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

I was about to write down the starting lineup but after few minutes I just gave up. It's too damn difficult in a very positive way, it really shows how good our squad depth is. I'll just sit back trusting in Jose and enjoying our first league victory!

[NishC300 1,865]

Coming back from holiday on Monday! Only seen highlights of our pre season! Let's hope we get off to a great start and make our presence felt!

[thehappyone 140]

[AndersonBLUE 819]

Would rather have Willian as number 10 and Andre on the right

[Special Juan 28,122]

Would love an early goal from us. There crowd will be right up for this, and this being the first game at home since gaining promotion the players will be right up for it. We can kill it dead if we score first, plus, it will be a great confidence boost for us to kick on the game. Really hope we come out sharp and get at them, our away support will be right up for it and hope to god we get all three points.

UTC.

[Donev 79]

PL is finally back. I`d go with this

Courtois

Ivanovic - Cahill - Terry - Azpilicueta

Fabregas - Matic

Schurrle - Willian - Hazard

Costa