Chelsea vs Bournemouth team news and line-ups: Michy Batshuayi dropped to the bench, as Hazard leads the line for the Blues
All the latest team information as the leaders attempt to continue their title charge against the Cherries
CHELSEA entertain Bournemouth on Boxing Day as they look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League and make it 12 straight wins.
However, Antonio Conte's men will have to do it without two of their star performers.
Striker Diego Costa is suspended for the clash - the 13-goal forward received his fifth yellow card of the season against Crystal Palace, ruling him out for one match.
The Blues will also be without influential midfielder N’Golo Kante after he too picked up caution number five against the Eagles.
Eddie Howe's men will be hoping to repeat last season's victory in west London and upset the odds again.
related stories
Who is definitely out for Chelsea?
Injured: John Terry
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Diego Costa, N'Golo Kante
What is the latest Bournemouth team news?
On-loan Nathan Ake is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Who is definitely out for Bournemouth:
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Ineligible: Nathan Ake
Who is playing for Chelsea on Boxing Day?
Predicted line-up: Courtois, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Fabregas, Matic, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Pedro
Who is playing for Bournemouth on Boxing Day?
Predicted line-up: Boruc, Adam Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Brad Smith, Arter, Surman, Gosling, Wilshere, King
What is the latest Chelsea team news?
Costa and Kante are both out through suspension.
Club captain will also miss the clash as he continues to recover from injury.
When is Chelsea vs Bournemouth?
THE Premier League clash kicks off at 3pm on Boxing Day, Monday December 26.
Where can I watch it?
AS the game starts at 3pm, it will not be broadcast live on television.
However, you can follow all the action with our live blog and see all the goals as they go on the Sun Mobile app.
Form guide:
Chelsea: WWWWW
Bournemouth: LWLWL
Who is going to win - latest odds?
Chelsea: 4/11
Draw: 15/4
Bournemouth: 7/1
SunSport prediction
Chelsea 2 Bournemouth 0 - 6/1
Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Fact me
- Chelsea have won five of their previous seven games in all competitions against Bournemouth, losing the other two.
- However, the Cherries did beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season 1-0, thanks to a goal from Glenn Murray.
- Chelsea haven't lost a league game on Boxing Day since being beaten by Charlton 4-2 in 2003 (W6 D5 L0 since).
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in each of their last six league games played on December 26th (W4 D2 L0) and they have only conceded one goal in these games.
- If Chelsea win this match, they'll set an outright club top-flight record of 12 successive league wins, beating a run of 11 wins set in September 2009.
- The overall top-flight record for consecutive wins is 14; set by Arsenal in between February and August 2002.
- Chelsea are top of the Premier League on Christmas Day for the fifth time. They have won the league title on each of the four previous occasions they have topped the Premier League at Xmas (2014-15, 2009-10, 2005-06 & 2004-05).
- Diego Costa will be missing this game through suspension. The Spaniard has had a hand in 18 of Chelsea's 35 Premier League goals this season (51% - 13 goals, 5 assists).
- Antonio Conte (14) has two more Premier League wins as a manager in 2016 than Eddie Howe (12), despite taking charge of more than half the number of matches (17 vs 36).
- This is the highest league position that Bournemouth have ever been in the English league system at Christmas (10th).
Your say