When Burnley FC hosts Chelsea FC at Turf Moor on Saturday, November 22, 2025, it won’t just be another Premier League fixture—it’ll be the latest chapter in a century-long struggle where dominance has rarely been in doubt for one side. Kickoff is set for 12:30 UTC, with referee Peter Bankes overseeing what could be a pivotal moment in the 2025-26 season. The home side, Burnley, knows the odds are stacked: in their last 19 meetings, Chelsea have won 13 times. But history, as they say, doesn’t always predict the future—especially when the underdog has nothing left to lose.
A Century of Unequal Rivalry
The Burnley Football Club and Chelsea Football Club have faced off 106 times across all competitions since their first meeting in 1910, according to WorldFootball.net. That’s more than a hundred battles, spanning two world wars, league restructurings, and the birth of the Premier League. Yet the numbers tell a story of imbalance: Chelsea have won 42 matches, Burnley 37, with 27 draws. Goal difference? Chelsea edge it 162-156. It’s close—but not close enough for Burnley fans to feel equal.
Since the Premier League launched in 1992, the gap has widened. In 16 top-flight clashes, Chelsea have won 11, Burnley just once—and that was back in 2017. The lone Burnley victory in the Premier League era came in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Since then? A string of defeats, including a 4-1 thrashing at Turf Moor in October 2023. The last meeting, on March 30, 2024, ended 2-2 at Stamford Bridge—a rare moment of parity. But even that draw felt like a moral victory for Burnley, not a sign of resurgence.
Turf Moor: The Last Bastion
Turf Moor is more than a stadium—it’s a fortress of grit. Built in 1883, it’s one of the oldest continuously used grounds in professional football, with a capacity of 21,944. The stands are steep, the atmosphere thick with northern pride. Burnley’s fans know their team rarely dominates possession. They don’t need to. They thrive on discipline, set pieces, and the kind of resilience that makes visiting teams sweat.
But against Chelsea, that’s rarely enough. Chelsea FC arrive with a squad built for control. Pre-match projections from FotMob suggest Chelsea will command 56% possession, rack up 15 shots to Burnley’s 8, and generate 1.72 expected goals (xG) compared to Burnley’s 0.44. That’s not just dominance—it’s statistical inevitability. Whoscored.com predicts Chelsea will steal the ball from Burnley frequently, and while Burnley might score from a direct free kick (a "very likely" outcome), the odds suggest it won’t be enough.
Who’s Really in Control?
The discrepancy in head-to-head records across sources—some citing 16 matches, others 106—isn’t confusion. It’s context. Sites like 11v11.com and AiScore.com focus on the Premier League era. WorldFootball.net includes FA Cup ties, League Cup games, and even wartime fixtures. The full picture reveals a rivalry that’s been asymmetrical since its inception. Chelsea, with their financial muscle and global recruitment, have always had the upper hand. Burnley, a club that won the First Division in 1921 and 1960, now fights to stay in the top flight.
Still, Burnley’s lone Premier League win over Chelsea in 2017 proves it’s possible. And that’s why this match matters. For Chelsea, it’s about maintaining their position in the top four. For Burnley, it’s about proving they still belong. The visitors have won 3 of their last 5 away games against Burnley, but two of those were draws. That’s not dominance—it’s survival.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Table
The Premier League table is tight. A win for Chelsea could lift them into second place, depending on other results. A draw would keep them in the chase. But for Burnley, who sit near the relegation zone, this isn’t just about points—it’s about belief. Their manager, Sean Dyche, has built a team known for its structure, not flair. He won’t ask his players to out-pass Chelsea. He’ll ask them to out-think them.
There’s a quiet tension here. Chelsea’s squad is filled with stars: Nkunku, Enzo Fernández, and a revitalized Cole Palmer. Burnley’s squad? A mix of academy graduates and veteran signings. No £70 million midfielders. No global brand. Just a club that, despite financial constraints, has survived relegation battles for over a decade. That’s not insignificant.
The Human Element
On the pitch, it’s not just tactics. It’s emotion. Burnley’s fans remember the 2017 win like it was yesterday. Chelsea’s fans remember the 4-1 rout at Turf Moor as proof of superiority. But football doesn’t care about history. It cares about the next 90 minutes.
And then there’s Peter Bankes. The referee has officiated 12 Premier League games this season, with an average of 3.8 yellow cards per match. He’s not a showman. He’s consistent. That’s good news for Burnley—they’ll need every inch of discipline.
What Happens Next?
If Chelsea win, they’ll be firmly in the top four conversation, and Burnley’s survival hopes will dim further. If Burnley hold them to a draw? That’s a statement. A sign that even in the age of billionaires and data analytics, football still has room for the underdog.
The last time Burnley beat Chelsea at home? 1974. Over 50 years ago. But in football, the past doesn’t define the future—it just makes the present more meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do different sources show such different head-to-head records between Burnley and Chelsea?
The variation comes from whether sources include all competitions or just the Premier League era (post-1992). WorldFootball.net counts 106 matches across all tournaments since 1910, while sites like 11v11.com focus only on Premier League fixtures, showing just 16 meetings. This explains why Chelsea’s win count jumps from 37 to 42 when including FA Cup and League Cup games.
Has Burnley ever beaten Chelsea in the Premier League since 2017?
No. Burnley’s only Premier League win over Chelsea came in May 2017, a 2-1 away victory at Stamford Bridge. Since then, they’ve lost six straight league matches against Chelsea, including a 4-1 defeat at Turf Moor in October 2023. Their last result was a 2-2 draw in March 2024, their first point against Chelsea in over a year.
What are Chelsea’s key strengths going into this match?
Chelsea’s midfield, led by Enzo Fernández and Nkunku, controls tempo and presses aggressively. Their xG of 1.72 suggests they create high-quality chances regularly. They’ve won 13 of their last 19 meetings with Burnley, and their possession rate averages 58% in these fixtures. Burnley’s low block won’t stop them—it’ll just delay the inevitable.
Can Burnley win this match?
It’s unlikely, but not impossible. Burnley have scored from set pieces in 4 of their last 5 home games. If they capitalize on one chance—perhaps a corner or free kick—and Chelsea’s defense slips, a 1-0 win could happen. Their only Premier League win over Chelsea came from a late goal. That’s their blueprint: defend, wait, strike.
How does Turf Moor’s atmosphere affect away teams like Chelsea?
Turf Moor’s compact, steep stands create a deafening echo that can rattle even the most composed visitors. Chelsea’s 2024 draw here proved the crowd can disrupt rhythm. But unlike smaller clubs, Chelsea’s squad is used to hostile environments—they’ve won at Anfield, Old Trafford, and the Etihad. The noise might frustrate, but it rarely breaks them.
What does this match mean for Burnley’s survival chances?
A win would be massive—jumping them out of the relegation zone and giving them 10 points from their last 7 games. A draw would keep them alive but under pressure. A loss? It could be the beginning of the end. With only 18 points from 11 games, Burnley need every point. This isn’t just a match—it’s a lifeline.