Closed Burnley v Chelsea

[Safir Zawad 54]

I am banking on Costa to score goals on Monday

[Ollie 4,400]

As much as i wish we were playing weekend, i must say i'm very much looking forward to an opening day being on a Monday and getting drunk after work. So excited about it.

[Footballover 222]

Just for those who are bitching about the fact we play on Monday - in the last 4 occasions, the team which started its season on Monday night eventually won the league. It has happend twice to City and twice to United.

So calm down

[We Hate Scouse 10,330]

I'm delighted we're playing on a Monday. My local does £2 pints on Mondays!

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

I'm gonna use this game as my reward for getting through another dull monday work shift! COME ON YOU BLUESSSS!!

Prediction: Burnley 0 - 2 Chelsea

Costa

Hazard

[iseah100 5,612]

Bummed everyone plays on the weekend but us. But we play at 3pm and I get off work at 4 so I guess it won't be too bad .

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I BELIEVE IN KI!

KI 10- United 0

1 down, 9 to go!

[Diego 433]

Okay i've watched enough of the other teams play, Monday couldn't come sooner (dont say that too often)

[Barbara 15,149]

"So that was good and created a medium group - but the final group is very late.

"Are they ready individually? No. But we have to be ready as a team for Monday.

"Can it be a team of six guys not ready? No. It must be a team with the majority of the players that had a proper pre-season and they are in a better condition.

"So we have to make options, and probably the team to play the first two or three matches is more about the team that is ready."

Not unexpected from José.

The six players he means are Courtois, Hazard, Schurrle, Oscar, Willian and Ramires.

Ramires can't play because he's suspended, so we're left with five among those six.

I see us playing with four at most, but more likely with three. Oscar and Willian compete directly for the same spot imo, doesn't matter if playing centered or in the RW. So I guess we start with Courtois and Hazard and one between Schurrle, Oscar and Willian.

If I know Mourinho as well as I think I do, he'll start with Willian and bring Schurrle early on in the second (at most at 60 mark) if we aren't winning yet by then. I see Oscar getting few minutes, if any in the first match.

Given the scenario, my only doubt is if he'll start Luís or not. I have a nagging feeling he won't, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if he does, I'll go with my feeling then.

Courtois

Iva - Terry - Cahill - Azpili

Matic - Cesc

Salah - Willian - Hazard

Costa

I could also see him starting with Torres in a 4-4-2 replacing Salah.

For the next two matches where he said he's probably going to choose his team based on physical condition, I think Ramires will play and we'll move to a 4-3-3. The best thing that has ever happened to us was the first four fixtures that will gives us time to prepare and settle before meeting City away. Everton away is just the perfect test in a third round, for us to fix anything that could still be out of place. Let's not forget we dominated them last year for the whole first half before we conceded that stupid goal and ended up losing the match. I think we could be competitive against them, have a breather with Swansea at home and be ready to play City.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Match Preview Here

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I could also see him starting with Torres in a 4-4-2 replacing Salah.

Then close your eyes, or put on some shades, for goodness sake!

[termninja 5,290]

I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT TO SEE US PLAY!

I missed PL so much!

[iseah100 5,612]

So excited for Monday. Have to bust ass at work, but Chelsea play!!!! (:

[LegenTerry 273]

I predict easy win with Costa,Schurrle and Hazard scoring.

Also,very excited too see us playing against weak opponent,which was pretty tricky last season so let's see how will things go tommorow.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

My cousin's going for the game. He wanted to know which pubs would the fans be at. Anyone who can help?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

My cousin's going for the game. He wanted to know which pubs would the fans be at. Anyone who can help?

There was a thread somewhere with people talking pubs for this game and agreeing meet up before it. That might help.

[DariusCFC 0]

Can't wait to see. But unfortunetaly will have to work. Will try watch live video on smartphone

[We Hate Scouse 10,330]

This isn't going to be an easy game by any means. The naivety of some people is ridiculous.

This is a team that have just been promoted playing their first game in the Premier League at home, against an opponent as good as us. They're going to want to prove themselves. The atmosphere's going to be absolutely electric, the players will play like it's the FA Cup final. Sean Dyche will have a very easy job geeing the players up.

I can see this finishing 1-0 to either side.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I predict we concede first then just about turn it around late on. 2-1.

[The only place to be 11,313]

This isn't going to be an easy game by any means. The naivety of some people is ridiculous.

This is a team that have just been promoted playing their first game in the Premier League at home, against an opponent as good as us. They're going to want to prove themselves. The atmosphere's going to be absolutely electric, the players will play like it's the FA Cup final. Sean Dyche will have a very easy job geeing the players up.

I can see this finishing 1-0 to either side.

Thank god I'm not the only one. This is probably the last game I'd like us to open the season with. I'd take City away over this in all honesty because promoted sides on opening days, especially in Northern shithole towns care the living crap out of me.

They'll be up for this, they'll have superhuman levels of stamina, the crowd will make the ground very claustrophobic and it looks like it's going to rain too. Excited but bricking it.