Chelsea will have the chance to match Arsenal’s record of 13 consecutive wins in the Premier League when they face Stoke City on Saturday.
Antonio Conte’s men have been in exceptional form of late and win this weekend will see them go into the new year with a lead of at least six points
Costa back
Diego Costa will return for the Blues as he looks to further his goal tally of 13 for the season and extend his lead at the top of the goal scorers list.
Midfield sensation N’golo Kante will also return this weekend after he served his one match ban alongside Costa for after receiving his fifth yellow card for the season.
Chelsea go into the game on the back of a very comfortable 3-0 win over Bournemouth whilst Stoke are coming off a heavy 4-1 defeat against Liverpool.
Stoke intensity
Mark Hughes will hope that Stoke can replicate their early performance at Anfield which saw them take the lead early in the game and then looked for the typical rugged Stoke defensive effort which unfortunately for the them did not happen.
To stop Chelsea however they will need to maintain this intensity for the full 90 if they are to have any hope of halting the title favourites.
The match is one part of the first few matches of the day and should Chelsea win then all eyes will be on the Liverpool vs Manchester City match which kicks off shortly after with the two teams the only ones with a chance of catching the league leaders.
Kick off is at 15:00 local time at Stamford Bridge.