Premier League leaders Chelsea will begin their potentially title-winning week with a clash at home to struggling Middlesbrough on Monday (8pm kick-off).

Antonio Conte’s men saw second place Tottenham suffer a surprise 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Friday night to hand the ascendency right back to the Blues, who will know that two wins this week over first Boro and then West Brom on Friday will seal a fifth title in 12 years for the West London outfit.

Yet it won’t be easy against Steve Agnew’s men, who will need at least a draw at Stamford Bridge on Monday night to avoid joining Sunderland in the Championship next season.

The North East side saw Hull lose at home to David Moyes’ men on Saturday to give them a chance of survival, but with just two games to go after Monday’s, they are seriously up against it in their quest to retain their top-flight status for next season.

Nonetheless, Conte’s Chelsea will be favourites to get the three points on Monday, but with a game against Tony Pulis’ Baggies to come on Friday, the Italian may make a few changes to his starting line-up.

Thus, here are THREE Chelsea stars who deserve a chance against Middlesbrough on Monday…

Nathan Ake

Despite a stunning performance in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final last month, defender Nathan Ake has since played just eight minutes for the Blues in the Premier League.

Yet boss Conte may call upon the 22-year-old against struggling Middlesbrough on Monday night.

The Dutchman, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Premier League outfit Bournemouth, was outstanding at Wembley against Spurs, yet has since struggled to dispose the likes of David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Gary Cahill from the starting eleven.

However, should Conte look to rotate his defensive options, Ake may earn his first league start of the campaign for the Blues on Monday.

Cesc Fabregas

Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas once again came off the substitute’s bench to great effect in their 3-0 win over Everton last weekend.

The 30-year-old registered his ninth assist of the campaign by combining with fellow substitute Willian for Chelsea’s third at Goodison Park, and it was a cameo which could tempt Conte into starting the midfielder on Monday night.

Fabregas has also netted four times for the Blues in the league this term, and given that he hasn’t been a regular starter throughout the campaign, that’s a pretty good effort.

And it may be enough to see him earn an 11th Premier League start of the season against Boro on Monday.

Willian

Like Fabregas, Brazil international Willian made quite an impact coming off the bench at Goodison Park last weekend.

The 28-year-old netted his seventh Premier League goal of the campaign in the Blues’ 3-0 win at Everton, and that may be enough to earn him a 14th league start of the season on Monday night.

Their Player of the Year for last season has struggled to get ahead of Eden Hazard and Pedro in the starting eleven, yet still carries a threat when he’s on the pitch.

Should Conte consider tweaking things up front, Willian could be the man to come in against Steve Agnew’s Middlesbrough.