After a slim margin win over Crystal Palace last week that saw the Eagles sack their manager Alan Pardew, Chelsea will host AFC Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Considering their brilliant winning run, no fixture seems to be tricky for the Blue Brigade currently, but they will surely have in their mind the 1-0 defeat in the same fixture last season.
The Blues, however, will no doubt be the favourites to win the match and extend their winning run to 12 matches. They have won five of their last seven matches against the Cherries and they haven’t lost a game on Boxing Day since being beaten by Charlton in 2003.
The eight-point lead that they currently hold against their nearest opponents is a massive boost for them to play their best football without any sort of stress.
Defence
The goal will be protected by Thibaut Courtois. The Belgium is once again experiencing a brilliant season after a sudden slump last season.
Conte is not expected to change his back three set-up, although it can’t be denied that they have looked vulnerable at times in the last few games. Luiz looked rock solid against Palace though they had little to threaten with anyway, but, Bournemouth have the flair and Luiz would need to do more to keep them out.
Azpilicueta will start on his favoured right side. It was his assist that got Chelsea the goal against Palace and he has also been tremendously disciplined defensively. He is the most underrated player in the team. With Luiz by his side, Cahill has got back his mojo. He uses the ball well to set his team on the counter.
Midfield
Conte will dearly miss the presence of N’Golo Kanté in his midfield. The new French recruit has been immensely impactful this season and has time and again ensured that Chelsea don’t lose their balance in the pivot position. He has always been in the right place at the right time. Conte is expected to start with Matic and Fabregas in the middle.
The combination looks good with one defensive midfielder and the other one a creative, but they will lack the unparalleled stamina of Kanté. The fact that they will further miss Diego Costa up front, makes Fabregas’ job more difficult.
The wing backs, Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso, will be having the adding pressure of unlocking Bournemouth’s defence while keeping an eye out for their agile wingers.
Attack
Eden Hazard and Willian are expected to start on the flanks. Given the limited time Batshuayi has got this season, Conte will expect his wingers to create more chances.
