Chelsea picked up their ninth straight Premier League win courtesy of a 1-0 success over a resilient West Brom on Sunday.

Antonio Conte’s side struggled to break the Baggies down at Stamford Bridge, but Diego Costa produced a moment of brilliance to net his 12th goal of the season, and secure the points for the hosts.

It meant that they reclaimed top spot from Arsenal, who had reached the summit after beating Stoke on Saturday, and have retained their three point lead over the Gunners going into the midweek fixtures.

Midweek games are somewhat of an unknown for Chelsea this season, given their lack of European action, yet a trip to David Moyes’ Sunderland will give them a chance to open up a sizable gap at the top of the table.

However, the Black Cats have been somewhat resurgent in the last few weeks, excluding their 3-0 defeat at Swansea on Saturday, winning three of their last five league games, including their last two at the Stadium of Light.

Nonetheless, Chelsea will go in as favourites against the league’s bottom side, and Conte may be tempted, with a lunchtime kick-off against Crystal Palace on Saturday to follow, to make a few changes to his team.

Thus, here are THREE players who deserve a chance on Wednesday…

Cesc Fabregas

Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to provide the assist for Costa on Sunday, a week after assisting his compatriot away at Manchester City.

The 29-year-old has struggled to force his way into the Chelsea midfield, such is the great form of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, but when he has got his chance in recent weeks, he has taken it.

Fabregas started and excelled against City ten days ago, and made the crucial difference in helping the Blues break down a resolute West Brom defence last weekend.

With another game coming up on Saturday at lunchtime, Conte may want to shuffle his pack, and Fabregas is one man who could get the nod in the midfield.

Willian

Pedro struggled a bit against West Brom on Sunday, and was replaced by Brazilian international Willian after just an hour.

And the 28-year-old did enough in that half hour cameo to suggest that he’s ready for a start at Sunderland.

Willian was their Player of the Season last time around but has struggled to nail down a place this season due to Pedro’s brilliant form in the front three, yet the Spanish international looked a bit leggy on Sunday, and may need a rest on Wednesday ready for the busy Christmas period.

Willian is more than adequate replacement, and if he can reproduce last season’s form against Sunderland on Wednesday, then Chelsea will be on their way to ten wins in a row.

Michy Batshuayi

As much as Diego Costa is the in-form forward in the Premier League, this is the first time Chelsea have faced three Premier League games in seven days this season, and it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard can play all three to the same high level we’ve seen thus far.

So, Conte may draft Michy Batshuayi in for his first league start of the season, and you sense that, if he doesn’t get a chance at some stage this week, he’s going to be waiting a while.

The Belgian international netted off the bench against Watford back in August, and then scored twice against Bristol Rovers in the League Cup, but has been used as a substitute throughout the season, such is Costa’s great form.

He may get a chance on Wednesday though.