Burnley boss Sean Dyche believes that Chelsea's participation in the UEFA Champions League could be 'helpful' to his side ahead of Saturday's clash at Turf Moor.
The Blues travel to Lancashire having made a slow start to the Premier League season, winning just two of their opening six matches.
Frank Lampard's side were in Champions League action on Wednesday evening as they hit four to beat Russian outfit Krasnodar away from home.
Dyche, who has managed Burnley for almost eight years, has said he is hoping Saturday's visitors will still be feeling the effects of the 4,000-mile round trip at kick-off, as he knows they can be 'very strong'.
"They can make changes, a number, and it is more shifting styles and different types of quality," he said.
"It might be helpful but you don't know until the whistle blows. If they are feeling some of the effects then that might be helpful, but if not we know the top sides are very strong."
Burnley sit third from bottom in the Premier League and are one of four sides yet to register a victory.
They have scored just three goals in their opening matches, and Dyche conceded this is an area where improvement is needed if they are to get any sort of result against Chelsea.
"It is the hardest thing in the game, scoring goals," he continued.
"I think we have created good quality chances and on another day we would score more but it is tough in the Premier League."
"The chance creation has been okay, it can still be improved. The other side of that is finding a balance and defending well so we will have to find that balance."
The Clarets have been struck with injuries to five senior players, with Johann Berg Gudmundsson the latest to hit the treatment table.
The Icelandic international is a doubt for Saturday's encounter having picked up a knock, while Phil Bardsley, Erik Pieters, Ben Mee and Jack Cork will not be involved.
"Bardo has to still recover, he has to clear his testing," explained Dyche after the veteran defender tested positive for coronavirus last week. "He has recovered.
"Johann has a niggly calf so he is touch and go. Erik Pieters won't meet it.
"Ben had a run out in the week and is training with us all the time now.
"Corky is a bit behind them but making steady progress."
