MX23RW : Monday, May 20 11:12:37| >> :60:3391:3391:

Analysing Chelsea's Premier League run-in

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the fixtures Chelsea will have to play if the 2019-20 Premier League season resumes.

The 2019-20 season has been a mixed one for Chelsea in many ways, though ultimately a top-four finish in the Premier League would mark a successful campaign for Frank Lampard.

The Blues found themselves in a Champions League qualification berth at the time of the coronavirus-enforced shutdown last month, three points better off than fifth-placed Manchester United.

Chelsea had failed to win back-to-back games since November, but they had momentum on their side after beating Everton 4-0 in their most recent outing - arguably the finest display of Lampard's tenure to date.

There is still work for the West London outfit to do if the Premier League season is given the go ahead to resume, and here Sports Mole has taken an in-depth look at their remaining nine fixtures.


Chelsea manager Frank Lampard celebrates after the match on January 1, 2020© Reuters

It remains to be seen what order games will be played if the season does restart in June or July, but Chelsea were scheduled to travel to Aston Villa in their next match on March 14.

That is a fixture the Blues tend to do well in, having won nine of their last 10 league meetings with Villa, including each of the last five.

Chelsea have three other away games to play - trips to West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Liverpool.

Each of those are difficult in their own right, particularly with the first two being London derbies, but the visits to Bramall Lane and Anfield could be particularly daunting.

N'Golo Kante in Premier League action for Chelsea in September 2019© Reuters

Liverpool boast the best home record in the Premier League, collecting 45 points from a possible 45, while Sheffield United had taken 10 points from the last 12 on offer before the shutdown.

The showdown with United would have plenty riding on it, too, given the Blades' current standing of seventh, just five points worse off than Chelsea.

Lampard's men still had some tough games to come at Stamford Bridge, meanwhile, especially the visit of reigning champions Manchester City, followed by meetings with Watford, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chelsea have lost six of their last seven games against City in all competitions, most recently going down 2-1 to the Citizens in November.

Chelsea's Willian celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on March 8, 2020© Reuters

The average overall position of the Blues' nine remaining opponents is 11th, highlighting that Lampard's men are by no means over the line for a Champions League qualification spot.

Indeed, taking all nine of the reverse fixtures into account, Chelsea collected 16 points out of 27 - an indication that, while they are looking down at the chasing pack for now, some consistent results are still required if the season does conclude.

Chelsea's remaining Premier League fixtures

Aston Villa (a)
Manchester City (h)
West Ham United (a)
Watford (h)
Crystal Palace (a)
Sheffield United (a)
Norwich City (h)
Liverpool (a)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

ID:397034: cacheID:397034:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6430:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring for Liverpool on November 30, 2019
Read Next:
Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Season
>
Read more about Frank Lampard Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!