Chelsea are aiming for their 12th win in a row when they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
The Blues will have to overcome the Cherries without two of their key men in Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante, both of whom are suspended after picking up five yellow cards over the course of the season.
For Eddie Howe’s side, that has to be a huge boost, but it will certainly make Antonio Conte’s job more difficult. Michy Batshuayi can come in for Costa up front, but Conte is choosing to focus on the one positive of missing two of his most important players – it will be Chelsea’s biggest test yet.
“This is a good test for us because we play this game without two very important players for our team,” he said, per Sky Sports.
The league leaders also welcome back Eden Hazard into their attack, and that will soften the blow of losing top-scorer Costa.
Before his injury, the Belgian was in superb form, and while he may not start, he will be included in the squad as Conte’s men try and maintain their six-point lead at the summit.
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