Diego Costa and N’golo Kante are just two of the stars who will be absent at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
As the hectic festive schedule gets underway, injuries and suspensions are likely to play a big part in deciding the outcome of various matches over the Christmas period.
Chelsea entertain Bournemouth on Boxing Day in a match that will see numerous first-team regulars from both sides on the sidelines.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa celebrates scoring their first goal with Nemanja Matic (R) and N’Golo Kante (L)
The hosts will be without influential duo Diego Costa and N’golo Kante, both of whom picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season in the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Costa’s winner at Selhurst Park took his league tally to 13 and ensured he stands alone at the top of the Premier League scoring charts, while Kante has been an irrepressible force in the Blues midfield as they have charged to the division’s summit.
Chelsea’s Pedro is one yellow card away from a suspension
There are others at risk of picking up suspensions for the home side. Pedro, Nemanja Matic and David Luiz all have four yellow cards each to their name so far and will therefore miss the New Year’s Eve clash with Stoke if they are booked against the Cherries.
The suspensions for five yellows come to an end from the start of January, so the trio simply need to stay free of blemishes in the next two matches.
Elsewhere, John Terry looks set to miss out through injury for Antonio Conte’s side, who currently lead the table by six points from Liverpool.
Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake (L) is ineligible against his parent club
Eddie Howe has selection problems of his own due to Nathan Ake being ineligible for the match at Stamford Bridge.
The Dutch defender is unable to play against his parent club due to the terms of his loan, meaning the Cherries are set for a defensive reshuffle that is likely to see Simon Francis partner Steve Cook in the middle with Adam Smith filling in at right-back.
The visitors have no suspensions to speak of, but midfield duo Harry Arter and Dan Gosling are each one yellow card away from missing the New Year’s Eve visit of Swansea.
Bournemouth’s Dan Gosling will miss the match with Swansea if he is booked on Boxing Day
Lewis Cook is out through injury, while Junior Stanislas and Andrew Surman are also unlikely to be available.
Bournemouth recorded a shock win at Stamford Bridge in December last year but face a much harder task this time around, with Chelsea in search of their 12th consecutive win.
What do you think the score will be on Boxing Day? Leave your predictions below.
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