Conte To Make 2 Changes: Predicted Chelsea XI To Face Bournemouth

Chelsea will be looking to cement their position at the top of the Premier League table when they entertain AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

Here is the team we think Antonio Conte will pick for the game:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois has been in excellent form so far this season and will once again line-up between the sticks on Monday.

Defence: John Terry is the only injured player in the Blues squad as the skipper continues to nurse a buttock injury that’s hampered him in recent weeks. Kurt Zouma has returned to the first team fold after recovering from a serious knee injury but I can’t see Conte changing a back three that’s served him so well.

Therefore, I expect we’ll once again see Gary Cahill lining-up alongside David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta at the back against Bournemouth.

Midfield: Conte will be forced in to making a change in midfield as N’Golo Kante will miss the game through suspension having picked up his fifth booking of the season against Palace last week.

Cesc Fabregas is almost certainly going to be the man to come in to the team with the Spaniard lining-up alongside Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park. Victor Moses and Marcus Alonso should keep their places on the wings as they’ve both been superb so far this season.

Attack: Chelsea are also going to have to mix things up in attack as Diego Costa is also suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the campaign last time out so Conte has a decision to make up front.

The Italian could deploy Eden Hazard in a false 9 role, however, I think we’ll see the Belgian international remain in his usual attacking midfield position with Michy Batshuayi given a rare opportunity to impress through the middle.

The other big decision for Conte is whether to go with Willian or Pedro in attack but the Brazilian international got the nod at Palace last weekend and I think we’ll see him keep his place on Monday.

Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up: