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There is no doubt Chelsea’s title credentials will be tested over the next few days.
West Ham are not playing the “19th century” football which helped them get a point at Stamford Bridge in January any more but their improved passing game will pose just as much of a threat on Boxing Day.
Southampton are then next up for Chelsea followed by a trip to Tottenham, where the Blues have won only once in their last seven attempts.
Jose Mourinho may have given top-scorer Diego Costa the all-clear as far as his dodgy hamstrings are concerned but three games in six days will surely be a stretch. Didier Drogba, rather than Loic Remy, is most likely to deputise.
Fringe members of the squad like Andre Schurrle, Ramires, Kurt Zouma, Filipe Luis and Mohamed Salah could get a chance to prove their worth during the busy period.
Boxing Day: West Ham (h)
Sunday: Southampton (a)
New Year’s Day: Tottenham (a)