Chelsea are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League at Christmas following a run of 11 straight league victories since the start of October.

Antonio Conte’s side were eighth in the table following their 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on September 24, and at that stage fell eight points behind league leaders Manchester City.

However, 11 successive Premier League wins has fired the Blues from mid-table mediocrity to the top of the division, and very much the team to beat going into the second half of the season.

They host Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth on Boxing Day in a bid to keep this incredible run going, but know that they’ll find it tough against a side that beat second place Liverpool 4-3 just a few weeks ago.

The Cherries are tenth in the table having won three of their last six league games, but go into this on off the back of a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to South Coast rivals Southampton last weekend.

Chelsea will obviously be favourites to pick up the three points on Monday but, with another game against Stoke to follow on New Year’s Eve, Conte may shuffle his pack for the visit of Bournemouth, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance on Boxing Day…

Kurt Zouma

With the games coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, Conte may be tempted to give Kurt Zouma his first minutes of the season against Bournemouth.

The 22-year-old suffered a nasty knee injury against Manchester United in February which has kept him side-lined throughout this campaign, yet he did play for the Chelsea Under-23 side against Oxford in the Checkatrade Trophy last month.

A bit of time has followed since then, so you’d expect Zouma to be there or thereabouts with regard to a return, and he was named on the bench at Crystal Palace last weekend.

Conte needs to know that, if needed, the young defender can slot into his back three should any of his current options get injured or suspended, so he may give him a chance on Boxing Day.

Cesc Fabregas

N’Golo Kante’s suspension in the middle could open up an opportunity for Cesc Fabregas to stake a claim for his place, and indeed his future, at Chelsea.

There has been speculation in recent weeks about the Spanish international moving in January after a lack of first team chances and, although he has had more opportunities in the side recently, it still might be something he is considering.

However, Fabregas outlined his importance to the team with the winner against Sunderland on December 14, and also provided the assist for Diego Costa against Manchester City a few weeks earlier.

Fabregas has clearly got so much more to offer at Chelsea, and he could slot in alongside Nemanja Matic against the Cherries on Monday.

Michy Batshuayi

With Diego Costa suspended having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at Crystal Palace last weekend, Michy Batshuayi could be in line for his first ever Premier League start.

The Belgian international has ten times been a substitute in the top-flight, but Costa’s sensational form as well as the great work of Eden Hazard and Pedro has meant that the 23-year-old has had to make do with a place on the bench.

However, he may get a chance on Monday to lead the line for the Blues, and add to his one Premier League goal so far which came in the 2-1 win at Watford back in August.

Conte could alternatively decide to start Pedro in the central role, with Hazard and Willian either side, yet Chelsea need strength in the striking department, and Conte needs to know if Batshuayi, when called upon, can do a job for the team.

He could find out on Monday.