CLARETS chief Sean Dyche said the expectation on Chelsea was ‘massive’ ahead of tomorrow’s Stamford Bridge clash between the two sides.

The Burnley boss said Jose Mourinho’s side were one of the best they had faced this season, after losing 3-1 at Turf Moor on the first weekend of the season.

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But he backed his side to play with freedom in West London as they look to become the first team to win there in the league this season.

Chelsea have taken 34 points from a possible 36 at Stamford Bridge, and they have lost just once in their last 40 home league games.

“We played them at the beginning of the season and they haven’t taken a step backwards since then,” said Dyche.

“I thought then that anyone who finishes above them must be some side and I still think that now.

“They’ve got strength everywhere, they just keep getting results anyway they need to.

“I thought on that night we played well, it’s just that they were fantastic. There was a 20 minute period when all players are peaking is a very, very powerful force. I just hope it only lasts 20 seconds this time.”

Despite being huge underdogs to get a result against a Chelsea side who drew 1-1 with Paris St-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, Dyche said his team knew they could compete.

“They’re a really strong side, of course, and we’re a side that’s learning and progressing, but it’s not like a non-league side going there,” the Burnley boss said.

“They’re playing some really good stuff and they’re very strong, but we’ve shown we can compete at this level.

“We’ve got that underdog spirit and that freedom to play. The expectation is massive on them for games like this.

“We have an inner belief that we can win games, whoever we play against. Jose Mourinho himself has come out and said this is the one league he’s worked in when you do get results against expectation, he’s aware of that.”

Mourinho will look for his side to take advantage of the Clarets recent vulnerabilities from set-pieces.

They have conceded four goals from corners in the last two games against West Brom and Manchester United, but Dyche said he didn’t want his side to ‘overthink’ their recent issues.

“In the previous 10 games we conceded one from a corner,” he said. “At this level that is pretty much the norm “There’s a lot of pulling and pushing and it goes on more at this level I think.

“You have to look at the facts. Because of the media around the Premier League there is that narrowing in on every little thing.

“You can’t overthink it. We point things out and we move things, we change things, but when the ball comes in you’ve got to have the desire to go and head it.

“Some of the teams in the Premier League have absolute giants, there’s some very powerful and physical sides, so it’s coming up with a tactical plan to affect that.”