The Blues seek a tenth successive Premier League win as they travel to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
Chelsea will look to move within three wins of Arsenal’s Premier League record, when Antonio Conte’s men make the trip to Wearside to play Sunderland on Wednesday evening.
The Blues have won nine consecutive league games, knowing another maximum points haul will see them reach double figures.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa celebrates scoring their first goal
The 3-4-3 system utilised by Conte has been tested in the last few weeks following victory in-arrears to title rivals Manchester City, then last Sunday versus a stubborn and well-drilled West Bromwich Albion.
On both occasions Diego Costa has been the difference, with the Spanish international now having scored 12 goals in 15 league games thus far – failing to score in just one of the last six.
The Black Cats may be a different proposal than of a few weeks ago, with David Moyes’ side greatly improved having won three of their last five outings, including two at home.
Eden Hazard (C) scores the second goal for Chelsea
Last weekend’s loss to strugglng Swansea was a set-back, however Moyes’ men can go about putting the wheels back on the rails – albeit against their table-topping opponents.
Sunderland have intriguingly not lost against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light since the December thriller of three years ago, when an Eden Hazard brace edged a seven-goal classic.
The last time the two met in May, the hosts came from behind to take full points courtesy of Jermain Defoe’s 76th minute winner.
Jermain Defoe celebrates after scoring the third goal for Sunderland
David Moyes will be without the suspended Didier Ndong for the visit of Chelsea.
The quartet of Lynden Gooch, Paddy McNair, Lee Cattermole and Duncan Watmore are all long-term absentees.
Midfielder Jack Rodwell could return on New Years Eve.
This is how Sunderland could lineup:
Antonio Conte’s only doubt for the game is with midfielder Oscar, as he recovers from illness. John Terry remains an absentee with a leg problem, but could return at the weekend in the London derby versus Crystal Palace.
The clash with West Brom was the first time that Pedro struggled in his newly found starting XI berth, so Willian could come in for the Spaniard.
Here is how Chelsea could lineup:
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