Chelsea travel to the south coast seeking to underline their credentials as Premier League champions elect against a Bournemouth side unbeaten in their last five matches.

Heading the top-flight by seven points with just eight games remaining, Antonio Conte's side will take to the field at the Vitality Stadium already knowing how nearest title rivals Tottenham have fared against Watford in Saturday's early fixture.

Whatever the outcome of the Spurs match, the result will give Conte the opportunity to provide a motivational sermon to his players, with a victory over Bournemouth either extending or maintaining their advantage at the top of the table.

With last weekend's "shock" defeat at home to Crystal Palace still fresh in the mind, Chelsea will be under no illusions about the fact that accidents can happen, and the Cherries excellent young manager Eddie Howe will be relishing the prospect of causing another upset.

Howe's side were well beaten in the reverse fixture earlier this season losing 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, but since then their form has improved markedly and they have impressed when playing the league's elite sides, drawing with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Chelsea supporters who had their nerves frayed by the Palace defeat endured another white-knuckle ride midweek when the Blues played Manchester City at the Bridge. Another 2-1 scoreline, this time in their favour, restored mental equilibrium, and they will be hoping that it's business as usual inside a very compact Vitality Stadium where those fortunate enough to secure tickets for the game will be in fine voice to cheer on Conte and Co.

It has been widely suggested that part of the reason for Chelsea's unexpected recent hiatus has been the absence through injury of right wing-back Victor Moses, who sustained a calf injury late on in last month's FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Manchester United.

Against Palace, Conte initially deployed Pedro in Moses' regular position. It didn't work out for the Chelsea boss who shuffled his pack mid-game. For the visit of Man City, he started with Chelsea's "Mr. Versatile", Cesar Azpilicueta, at right wing-back. Again, Conte was clearly ill at ease with the limitations he perceived this created and made adjustments at half-time.

The fantastic news for Conte is that Moses is now fully recovered and ready to resume his regular duties on the right flank. Nobody could have imagined at the start of the season the pivotal importance the Nigerian international would have in Chelsea's surge to prominence given the fact the 26-year old has spent the majority of his Chelsea career out on loan.

Moses' availability should see Conte return to the familiar starting XI that has executed his 3-4-3 strategy to good effect for much of the season. Thibaut Courtois in goal, and regular centre-back trio, Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill in defence. N'Golo Kante partnered by either Nemanja Matic or Cesc Fabregas in central midfield, Marcos Alonso at left wing-back, and a front three of Pedro, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.

At present however, there is a serious question mark around Costa whose form has dipped markedly in recent weeks. The 28-year old striker's future at Chelsea remains mired in speculation, and there is a growing sense of unease among the London club's fans about his focus.

Given that Conte remains reluctant to hand starts to 23-year old forward Michy Batshuayi, if the Blues boss is harbouring concerns about Costa, given the return of Moses, might he consider fielding Hazard in the "false nine" position flanked by Pedro and Willian?

It's an option that Conte tried out at Leicester back in January when he dropped Costa following the striker's training ground disagreement with a member of his coaching staff and the infamous Chinese Super League spat. Chelsea went on to demolish Leicester 3-0. Proof, if it was needed, that Conte could win games without the Brazilian-born Spainish international or indeed a recognized centre-forward in his ranks.

Costa of course didn't move to China for an eye-watering sum of money and he was back in the Chelsea starting XI the weekend following the Leicester game when he found the net against Hull City -- but his form has been hit and miss, and more miss of late, since then.

The fact that Bournemouth have conceded 56 goals this season, only West Ham 57, Hull 61, and Swansea 66, have shipped more, suggests that Chelsea will have plenty of opportunities to score. Against Palace last week, having fallen behind, the Blues had 24 shots on goal. Admittedly Eagles keeper Wayne Hennessey was at the top of his game, but Costa was culpable of several glaring misses.

Hazard, with a midweek brace against Man City buoying his confidence, could be Chelsea's wrecking ball against Bournemouth. It would take a brave man to invoke the wrath of the tempestuous Costa by dropping him, but Conte has done it before, and with the stakes now incredibly high and a game there for the taking he could yet do it again. It would be a gamble, but time and again this season Conte has proved himself capable of mastering the odds.

Source:
courtesy of ESPN

by MARK WORRALL

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