Chelsea head into the busy festive period aiming to stay in touch with the leading sides in the Premier League. The Blues are fourth in the standings, eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
They kick-off their Christmas and New Year schedule with a home game against Leicester City on December 22. Maurizio Sarri’s side are long odds-on with the bookmakers listed at Amazing.Bet to pick up three points against the Foxes.
Sarri has a handful of injury worries to contend with ahead of the game, including Alvaro Morata. The striker is doubtful as a result of the knee injury he sustained in last week’s Europa League tie with Vidi. Gary Cahill and Victor Moses remain sidelined.
Jamie Vardy should be back for the Foxes after being rested for Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie with Manchester City. Ben Chilwell faces a late fitness test, while Daniel Amartey is a long-term absentee.
Chelsea are unbeaten in the league at Stamford Bridge this season, winning six and drawing three of their nine games. They haven’t conceded at home in their last five outings in all competitions and they will fancy their chances of extending that run this weekend.
Leicester’s recent record at Chelsea is poor, with their last victory coming back in September 2000. They have also struggled for form in recent weeks, winning just two of their last 10 league outings.
The Blues are back in action on Boxing Day as they head to Vicarage Road to face Watford. They have lost just one of their last 14 meetings with the Hornets, although that defeat came in the corresponding fixture back in February.
Watford are another side who have gone off the boil in recent weeks and Chelsea are strongly fancied to pick up three points in this one.
The Blues are on the road again on December 30 as they make the short trip across London to play Crystal Palace. Chelsea have won four of their last six matches against the Eagles and this should be another victory.
Sarri’s side finish their festive schedule with a home game against Southampton on January 2. The Saints have struggled for most of the current campaign and it’s difficult to imagine them springing a surprise.
With Man City and Liverpool set to clash on January 3, it is vital that Chelsea stay unbeaten over the next couple of weeks. A 12-point haul isn’t beyond them and would certainly crank up the pressure on their title rivals.
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