When the final whistle went on 8 March 2020 at Stamford Bridge, it wasn't clear that the Blues – both teams of them – had just played their last game for months. Chelsea had just completed a 4-0 rout of Everton in one of their most complete performances of the season, with goals from Mason Mount, Pedro, Willian and Olivier Giroud.
The Blues bowed out in style, but it marked the start of a three-month hiatus for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea. It’s been a difficult few months for everyone, but the light of the end of the tunnel is shining. Football is coming back.
Chelsea have nine league games left to play, and the top four race is ready to return. Currently fourth with 48 points, this final stretch will be absolutely crucial for the Blues. A Champions League spot is far from confirmed, with Manchester United, Wolves and Sheffield United all hot on their tail.
With just over two weeks to go, 90min looks at how Chelsea’s final points tally could look at the end of the Premier League season.
Matchday 30 – Aston Villa (Away)
Date: Sunday 21 June
Time: 16:15 BST
Channel (UK): Sky Sports
Chelsea restart the season with a trip to Villa Park, against an Aston Villa side stuck in a relegation battle. The reverse fixture was an exciting clash, settled by Mount’s moment of magic in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. However, it wasn’t a straightforward victory, with Villa certainly putting in a good performance and unlucky to fall to defeat.
That’s likely to be the case in the rematch, with the Villans needing three points more than ever. The circumstances of closed doors will affect the hosts, deprived of their home support, while the Blues can play a little more freely without the added intensity.
Chelsea need to start as they mean to go on, and even if they aren’t instantly back to the form they left off with, they need to leave the Midlands with the win. Frank Lampard has happy memories of becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer at Villa Park, and should leave feeling good once again.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 51 points
Matchday 31 – Manchester City (Home)
Date: Thursday 25 June
Time: 20:15 BST
Channel (UK): BT Sport
The Blues’ first big test will be the visit of Manchester City to Stamford Bridge, albeit without the 40,000-strong support. They will be hoping to repeat their 2-1 win in last season’s meeting at the Bridge, while steering far from the defeat of the same scoreline this season in November.
Such is the size of Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table, City have all but dropped out of the title race and into the one for the top four. Nine points currently separate Lampard’s (Royal) Blues from Guardiola’s (Sky) Blues, though some drastic result changes from the Citizens could make for an interesting clash in west London.
Chelsea will need to be at the top of their game, though there is little encouragement – they’ve only won one of their top six clashes in the league this season. It will be a tough battle in west London, but the hosts could come away with a well-earned point.
Verdict: Draw
Total Points Tally: 52 points
Matchday 32 – West Ham (Away)
Date: Wednesday 1 July
Time: 20:15 BST
Channel (UK): Sky Sports
This will be one of the biggest clashes for revenge, following the reverse fixture six months ago. West Ham came away with a 1-0 win in their first Stamford Bridge victory since 2002, a result which was one Chelsea’s most embarrassing defeats of the entire season.
It’s a match Chelsea really should be winning, but that was the case in November too. Their overall form and consistency has been worrying, and you wouldn’t write off the Hammers when they meet in July given the outcome of the previous meeting.
The Blues should win this game, but the unpredictability of the Chelsea rollercoaster this season means you never know. They could come away with all three points, but with the added incentive of pulling off the double against a London rival, West Ham could snatch this one.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 52 points
Matchday 33 – Watford (Home)
Back at the Bridge before consecutive away trips, Chelsea will welcome Watford to west London next month. Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic secured the three points in the 2-1 win last time out, not to forget Kepa Arrizabalaga’s incredible last-minute save from Ben Foster.
There may not be as much drama as there was at Vicarage Road, but Chelsea will be aiming to repeat the three points over the Hornets once again. Three consecutive games in the capital should be a big advantage, massively reducing the amount of travel.
This clash could go either way, with Watford fighting for survival after a resurgence from the bottom thanks to Nigel Pearson. He will likely set up to frustrate and return to Hertfordshire with a result, where even a point would be a job well done for the Hornets.
Verdict: Draw
Total Points Tally: 53 points
Matchday 34 – Crystal Palace (Away)
A short trip across the Thames and into the depths of south London is next, as Chelsea visit Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. There's a fair gap between the teams, but Selhurst has proved a tricky place to go in recent years, with Palace beating the Blues at home twice in the last few years.
Nevertheless, the Blues have the upper hand. Four straight victories over the Eagles proves their recent dominance, reflected in November's 2-0 win, when they sent the Eagles flying back south empty handed. Palace do deserve credit for an excellent season, but have a tough test ahead with the visit of Chelsea.
With the games ticking down and the end of the season approaching, Lampard will be determined to see out a routine win in this London derby. The Blues should be able to pull that off, continuing their top four pursuit with a convincing win in front of an empty Holmesdale Stand.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 56 points
Matchday 35 – Sheffield United (Away)
Having sought revenge over Manchester City and West Ham, Chelsea will come to Bramall Lane with the same intention. Although Sheffield United did not beat the Blues last time out, the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge was a devastating result in Lampard’s early days.
Chelsea infamously blew a 2-0 lead against the recently promoted Blades, with Kurt Zouma’s unfortunate own goal sealing their comeback. It was a huge two points dropped and embarrassing ones too, so there will be an element of revenge without a doubt.
That being said, the Blades have been formidable this season, not least on home turf. Arsenal and Manchester United both failed to come away with the win, and that may well be the case for Lampard’s young Blues, who could struggle in South Yorkshire.
Verdict: Loss
Total Points Tally: 56 points
Matchday 36 – Norwich City (Home)
Chelsea’s first win under Lampard came at Norwich City, an enthralling 3-2 victory at Carrow Road. Fast forward from one summer to another, and the Blues will be more than expected to complete the double over the Premier League’s bottom side.
Norwich have been in the bottom three since October, and their fate could be sealed at Stamford Bridge if results don’t go their way. However, their record against Chelsea is atrocious, with no win in 26 years, with their last victory at the Bridge coming in 1993.
Chelsea need to take the more attainable points with ease if they are to finish in the top four, and a home match against a relegation battler is the perfect source of three points. The Blues should seal a resounding win in their penultimate home game of the season.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 59 points
Matchday 37 – Liverpool (Away)
In the 2019/20 season, Chelsea’s fate with Liverpool has been a tale of two years. They succumbed to two narrow defeats in 2019, losing on penalties in the Super Cup and painfully in the league meeting at the Bridge – but got revenge in the FA Cup in March, securing a resounding 2-0 win thanks to goals from Willian and Ross Barkley.
Should Liverpool go on to win the Premier League – which is extremely likely, given that they only need two more wins – they would lift the trophy when Chelsea visit Anfield. A dreaded thought for Blues fans, but the perfect chance to spoil their party.
Jürgen Klopp may rotate his team, but it’s less likely when you remember the Reds are out of the Champions League and FA Cup. Chelsea will still need the points, and could sneak away with a point from the runaway leaders on Merseyside.
Verdict: Draw
Total Points Tally: 60 points
Matchday 38 – Wolves (Home)
Chelsea will end their first league season under Lampard with the visit of Wolves to Stamford Bridge, which could be a season finale celebration or a desperate dog fight for the top four. The Blues should have already secured a top four finish, but if they go into the final day still needing points, it will be a nervy watch at the finish line.
Wolves have been outstanding this season, and are currently just five points and two positions behind the Blues. It’s tight at the moment, but the reverse fixture was anything but. Abraham secured his first career hat-trick in between beautiful goals from Fikayo Tomori and Mount, as Chelsea saw out a brilliant 5-2 win at Molineux.
Chelsea will hope to bow out on a high, and should be able to do that by securing another three points against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. This season will be remembered for Lampard’s homecoming, the coronavirus impact and more, but if Chelsea can qualify for next season’s Champions League, it will be a job well done.
Verdict: Win
Total Points Tally: 63 points
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Source : 90min