How Chelsea should line-up against Bournemouth following Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante suspensions

Chelsea notched up their 11th victory on
the bounce away at Crystal Palace on
Saturday afternoon but two major
negatives emerged from the Selhurst Park
clash.


Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante received
bookings against Alan Pardew’s side
which means the duo will be ruled out of
the match with Bournemouth on Boxing
Day.
Both Costa and Kante
are suspended after
being shown their
fifth yellow cards of
the campaign which
leaves Antonio Conte
with a selection
headache on
December 26.
The formidable pair have been two of
Chelsea’s top performers this season so
their absences will be a worry to
supporters ahead of the Stamford Bridge
fixture.
How should Conte’s starting XI look versus
the Cherries?

DEFENCE
Antonio Conte is likely to go with the same
defence which has performed so well since
their switch to a 3-4-3 formation.
Thibaut Courtois has been in imperious
form between the sticks and was widely
praised for a ‘title-winning’ save against
Sunderland in midweek.
Kurt Zouma’s return to fitness could tempt
Conte into changing things up at the back,
though.
MIDFIELD
Kante’s suspension could have a massive
impact on the side which hosts Eddie
Howe’s men on Boxing Day.
The France international does the running
of two men in midfield. Conte will likely opt
for Matic but in a slightly deeper role
against the Cherries.
This frees up another space in the centre
which could see a return for Cesc
Fabregas.
Fabregas was unlucky to miss out on a
starting spot against Crystal Palace
scoring the winner at the Stadium of Light.

UP FRONT
Costa has been playing out of his skin this
term so summer signing Michy Batshuayi
has massive boots to fill if he comes in at
Stamford Bridge.
The former Marseille striker should start
alongside Hazard who is, of course, in
barnstorming form for the Premier League
giants this campaign.
Alternatively, Conte could choose to play
Hazard more centrally and bring Pedro
back into his starting XI out wide.