3 key battles as Chelsea host Middlesbrough in the Premier League this evening

Premier League leaders Chelsea know that victory over Middlesbrough tonight (8pm kick-off) will put them to within three points of the title.

Antonio Conte’s men saw second place Tottenham suffer a surprise 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Friday night to remain four points clear at the top, but with the Blues playing twice before Mauricio Pochettino’s men return to the field, the title could be wrapped up come Friday at 10pm.

That’s because the West London outfit know that victories over Boro tonight and then West Brom at the end of the week would seal the title, while it’s also an important game for Steve Agnew’s Middlesbrough, who will be relegated with defeat at Stamford Bridge this evening.

The North East outfit are seven points behind 17th place Hull with three games of the season remaining, so they need at least a draw this evening to keep their fading survival hopes alive going into the final fortnight of the campaign.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of this evening’s vital clash in West London, we at Shoot! have identified the THREE key battles that will ultimately decide the outcome of tonight’s encounter…