Tom Carnduff and Gareth Jones pick out the major talking points and punting pointers from the latest Premier League action.
No Blues for Chelsea defence
Gareth Jones
Something we thought we would never say – Frank Lampard’s team can defend! Chelsea’s 3-0 victory at battling Burnley is their fourth clean sheet in the row in all competitions. In Lampard’s three seasons as a manager this is his best defensive run.
In both his first season at Chelsea and debut campaign as a gaffer with Derby in the Sky Bet Championship his best effort was consecutive shutouts.
And it gets even better as you look further back, as it’s actually five clean sheets in six, with the blip coming in the 3-3 with Southampton on October 17.
But maybe this is not Lampard’s achievement, but Edouard Mendy’s. The £22m signing from Rennes seems to have quickly become the concrete that’s finally secured that wobbly Chelsea defensive wall. He’s been between the sticks for all five clean sheets. The one game he missed? The six-goal thriller with the Saints, where hapless Kepa had another day to forget.
Winless Sheffield United are next up for the Blues, and Lampard and co will be keen to right the 3-0 humiliation to Chris Wilder’s side back in July. The South Yorkshire outfit have mustered only four league goals since that win, with just three of those coming this season.
Chelsea to win to nil is not likely to provide huge value, but the bookies might just consider that 3-0 scoreline at Stamford Bridge in the summer, plus that recent defensive collapse against the Saints, to potentially give punters something.
Backing the big men
Gareth Jones
Talking of Chelsea defenders, here’s a question for you. How many league goals did Kurt Zouma score in the previous six Premier League seasons? The answer is four. Which makes the fact he’s already bagged three in six Premier League games this season even more remarkable.
His powerful header against Burnley is one of the best headed goals you will see all season and showcased his newfound confidence in front of goal.
His strikes against Brighton, on the opening day, Palace and now Burnley have come from corners – in Palace’s case he remained in the box to head home a secondary cross after the original corner was cleared.
Now, Chris Wilder’s Blades - next up for Chelsea - have been known for their strength at set pieces at both ends of the field in the past. However with players like Jack O'Connell missing, that appears to no longer be the case.
They’ve conceded 10 goals in total this term, with two coming from dead ball situations so far and it could have been worse. On Saturday, during Manchester City's 12 shots - eight on target - Aymeric Laporte volleyed wide from six yards out when left unmarked at a corner, and keeper Aaron Ramsdale was forced into three excellent point blank saves from efforts resulting from crosses.
In their last three matches - against City, Liverpool and Fulham - United have conceded 17 corners. Adding their matches against Arsenal and Leeds and that number goes to 26 corners to defend in five games. Zouma will be licking his lips, while a goal from a header from any Chelsea player could also be the bet.
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No Blues for Chelsea defence
Gareth Jones
Something we thought we would never say – Frank Lampard’s team can defend! Chelsea’s 3-0 victory at battling Burnley is their fourth clean sheet in the row in all competitions. In Lampard’s three seasons as a manager this is his best defensive run.
In both his first season at Chelsea and debut campaign as a gaffer with Derby in the Sky Bet Championship his best effort was consecutive shutouts.
And it gets even better as you look further back, as it’s actually five clean sheets in six, with the blip coming in the 3-3 with Southampton on October 17.
But maybe this is not Lampard’s achievement, but Edouard Mendy’s. The £22m signing from Rennes seems to have quickly become the concrete that’s finally secured that wobbly Chelsea defensive wall. He’s been between the sticks for all five clean sheets. The one game he missed? The six-goal thriller with the Saints, where hapless Kepa had another day to forget.
Winless Sheffield United are next up for the Blues, and Lampard and co will be keen to right the 3-0 humiliation to Chris Wilder’s side back in July. The South Yorkshire outfit have mustered only four league goals since that win, with just three of those coming this season.
Chelsea to win to nil is not likely to provide huge value, but the bookies might just consider that 3-0 scoreline at Stamford Bridge in the summer, plus that recent defensive collapse against the Saints, to potentially give punters something.
Backing the big men
Gareth Jones
Talking of Chelsea defenders, here’s a question for you. How many league goals did Kurt Zouma score in the previous six Premier League seasons? The answer is four. Which makes the fact he’s already bagged three in six Premier League games this season even more remarkable.
His powerful header against Burnley is one of the best headed goals you will see all season and showcased his newfound confidence in front of goal.
His strikes against Brighton, on the opening day, Palace and now Burnley have come from corners – in Palace’s case he remained in the box to head home a secondary cross after the original corner was cleared.
Now, Chris Wilder’s Blades - next up for Chelsea - have been known for their strength at set pieces at both ends of the field in the past. However with players like Jack O'Connell missing, that appears to no longer be the case.
They’ve conceded 10 goals in total this term, with two coming from dead ball situations so far and it could have been worse. On Saturday, during Manchester City's 12 shots - eight on target - Aymeric Laporte volleyed wide from six yards out when left unmarked at a corner, and keeper Aaron Ramsdale was forced into three excellent point blank saves from efforts resulting from crosses.
In their last three matches - against City, Liverpool and Fulham - United have conceded 17 corners. Adding their matches against Arsenal and Leeds and that number goes to 26 corners to defend in five games. Zouma will be licking his lips, while a goal from a header from any Chelsea player could also be the bet.
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