Chelsea go into their Boxing Day match looking to set a club record of 12 successive wins surpassing the 11 game winning run they set back in September of 2009. The Blues will have to try to gain the victory without 2 of their most influential players as despite his much improved disciplinary record, Diego Costa unfortunately received his 5th yellow card against Crystal Palace so he and midfield general N’Golo Kante will both be missing the Bournemouth match through suspension. Premier League top scoring striker Costa has scored 13 League goals and has had a hand in 18 of Chelsea’s 35 Premier League goals this season as he has also added an impressive 5 assists so he will of course be a massive miss. It will be interesting to see if Antonio Conte uses Michy Batshuayi up front giving him a rare start for the Blues. 
Chelsea are surely going to be favourites for this match as they have not lost on Boxing Day since being beaten by Charlton Athletic way back in 2003 when they went down to Alan Curbishley’s side by a 4-2 scoreline but they did lose to Eddie Howe’s impressive Cherries last year at Stamford Bridge when a Glenn Murray goal saw Bournemouth take the 3 points with a 1-0 win. Chelsea have won 5 of their previous 7 games against Bournemouth in all competitions losing the other 2 matches. Bournemouth did claim a few impressive scalps last season as they also beat Man United and they recently came back from 2-0 down to beat Liverpool 4-2 at the Vitality Stadium so Antonio Conte will not be taking them lightly. The Cherries also have an impressive recent record on Boxing Day managing to go unbeaten in their last 6 games while winning 4 and drawing 2 matches. Bournemouth go into Christmas in their best ever League position as they sit in 10th in the Premier League.
Chelsea will still be without club captain John Terry who remains injured but Bournemouth will be without the most impressive Nathan Ake who is not allowed to play against Chelsea as they are his parent club and the defender has been in great form for Eddie Howe’s men so he will be a big miss.
We think that even without Diego Costa Chelsea will find a way to win and it will likely be a tight affair but we think the Blues will extend their winning run to 12 games as they will beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Monday.