Chelsea have been handed a kind start to the 2014-15 Premier League season as they face two newly-promoted sides in their opening two games.

Championship runners-up Burnley and winners Leicester City represent the title hopeful’s first two fixtures of the new campaign in what looks like a routine six points for the Blues.

Manager Jose Mourinho consistently played down Chelsea’s chances of winning the title last term and they finished up in third place behind Liverpool and winners Manchester City.

It was the Special One’s first season back at the Stamford Bridge helm and stated his belief last May that we will see a team capable of winning trophies in SW6 during 2014-15.

He said: “It’s good to be back but it’s not good to finish third. I’m happy with the evolution, but I’m not happy with third.

“Next season we want to do better than we did. We have to do better, I have to do better, the players have to do better.

“I have great belief in them and I think next season we can start day one and we can say without any kind of fears that we are there not to fight for the title, to win it.”

Should the Blues still be in the hunt for the title come the run-in they will need to keep their cool in the final five matches, which starts with a tricky away-day at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Home games with Crystal Palace and Liverpool are followed by a visit to West Brom and the season ends on May 24 as Sunderland, who ended Mourinho’s unbeaten record at the Bridge last term, come to west London in the final game.

See Chelsea’s full 2014-15 Premier League fixture list here.