With just a few games left in the 2016/17 Premier League, where more normality has resumed after last season’s madness, league-leaders Chelsea welcome a struggling Middlesbrough side to Stamford Bridge. A game that could see Middlesbrough’s relegation confirmed in just their first season back in the top-flight and could see Chelsea take a huge step to confirm their position as Premier League champions. Middlesbrough will need a miracle.

STATS

• Chelsea have been imperious in the league this season but their recent form hasn’t lived up to the rest of the season with 2 losses in their last 6 games, they handed a small opening to Tottenham to challenge them, which they failed after losing to West Ham on Friday. Their last game was an emphatic 3-0 win over Everton.
• Middlesbrough are almost certain to go down now and with just 1 win in their last 6, they haven’t put up much of a late season fight. However, a courageous 2-2 draw with Man City showed they had enough character to make a go of survival especially as they conceded an unfair penalty after Leroy Sane dived for City.
• While his form has dipped recently after talks that he’s agreed to move to the Chinese league, Diego Costa has still been Chelsea’s main man in front of goal this season and with 19 goals, he’s still had a very good season.
• Middlesbrough’s main struggled in the league this season has been their lack of cutting edge in the penalty area and their top goal scorer, Alvaro Negredo, hasn’t even reached double figures. His 9 goals haven’t been enough to ensure his side’s Premier League status.

HEAD TO HEAD

Chelsea have won each of the last 6 meetings between the two sides and the last time Middlesbrough beat the league-leaders was back in 2006. Middlesbrough haven’t scored against Chelsea in those 6 games and that run will probably continue on Monday night.

CHELSEA NEWS

Chelsea will fully expect to take another 3 points from this victory and all-but guarantee themselves the Premier League title with 2 games to play. Without any distractions away from the Premier League, it’ll be harder for Chelsea to throw away their lead at the top than maintain it. They go into Monday’s game without any absences giving them any even greater chance of victory.

Latest matches: Chelsea FC

30.04.2017	Prem	Everton FC	Chelsea FC	0:3	W
25.04.2017	Prem	Chelsea FC	Southampton FC	4:2	W
22.04.2017	FA C	Chelsea FC	Tottenham Hotspur	4:2	W
16.04.2017	Prem	Manchester United	Chelsea FC	2:0	L
08.04.2017	Prem	Bournemouth AFC	Chelsea FC	1:3	W

MIDDLESBROUGH NEWS

Middlesbrough will need a huge miracle to stay up from this position and even with a win against Chelsea, they’ll still be 4 points from safety with just 2 games left, it’d be a huge ask. They haven’t got any injuries or suspensions for the upcoming fixture but with Chelsea’s quality and power, it probably won’t mean much for them.

Latest matches: Middlesbrough FC

30.04.2017	Prem	Middlesbrough FC	Manchester City	2:2	D
26.04.2017	Prem	Middlesbrough FC	Sunderland AFC	1:0	W
22.04.2017	Prem	Bournemouth AFC	Middlesbrough FC	4:0	L
17.04.2017	Prem	Middlesbrough FC	Arsenal FC	1:2	L
08.04.2017	Prem	Middlesbrough FC	Burnley FC	0:0	D

SUMMING UP!

as AGoing against a Chelsea win in this game would surely be madness ntonio Conte will want his side to achieve their main aim in the most professional way possible. While Middlesbrough are a team who can still mathematically survive with a few strong results, they won’t enough strength in their team to overcome Chelsea. Especially at Stamford Bridge where the Chelsea fans will be right behind their players to make sure they get over the line without any problems. It could be a rout for Chelsea.