30 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

Boro should be up for this given the Hull defeat today but football doesn't always work like that. They could be more nervous given they have a chance (even if it is still slim) to stay up. However, if they come looking to score that could really play into our hands.

Yeah it's always difficult to predict how sides may respond to opportunities to stay up.

They'll either attack like they did against Man City or simply sit back and try to nick a goal off us.

Given their unfavourable position and the lure of a carrot should Swansea lose or draw, I reckon they will be more attacking than normal when we play them. They may try and grab and early goal and then park the bus because their defence looks good among the Bottom 12. Cesc/Matic should watch out. 

Given our relative defensive struggles, they could try and wait for us to make a mistake, but by the time we do they may already conceede 2 goals.

If I was them, I'd try to attack through the midfield in the first 20-25 minutes and try to grab a goal in light of Kante's absence and the relative fragility of the Cesc/Matic partnership. If a goal wasn't forthcoming, I would retreat and just seek to nick a goal if I could. 

 

Edited May 6, 20179 yr by DaRick
Further clarification

Assuming Luiz and Kante are out, I'd go:

 

Courtois

Cahill

Ake

Azpilicueta

Alonso

Fabregas

Matic

Moses

Pedro

Costa

Hazard

Dangerous match this. Spurs result will have relaxed us a little , the danger is it it takes the edge off our play. Add to this a team fighting for their lives. We need to be at it from the off, an early goal could open the game up nicely.

So if we win Boro are relegated. They will put up a fight but honestly, we have the quality to win this one even if a couple of guys are missing.

Come on Chelsea!

On Wednesday, May 03, 2017 at 07:01, axman2526 said:

We need to win to restore our 4 point lead, they need to win regardless of what hull do (and sunderland freed by their now confirmed relegation could spring a surprise there). So logically that means we both get the result that neither wants, a draw lol. 

Some of you may well be proven right and we win and win by a decent margin however I really think they will make it hard for us. They seem to do well and keeping things tight. 

Alright so I was wrong on needing a win to still be 4 clear (apparently all the hammers needed was for matic to offer to take bilic out for a meal if they beat Spurs) but I got a (rare) one right after a freed sunderland won at hull. 

With the swans winning boro still badly need a win. We need to be respectful and at least match their efforts. Then we can take advantage of Spurs defeat. 

no point risking luiz and kante we have a cup final. Ake deserves is chance and well we need cesc magic for this game

After the Spuds losing to the Hammers, we now need only to win 2 of our remaining 4.

I am really hoping we demolish Boro on Monday night since we're at home. Notwithstanding Boro will throw everything including a kitchen sink at us in hope of staving off relegation, we should nevertheless overwhelm them given our home advantage.

Just think about it, if we do win these 2 upcoming ones, we can relax the team for the FA final.

Don't want to sound overconfident, but KTBFFH!

Swansea have won, I see.

Middlesbrough may well be even more attacking than I had anticipated because a draw now is unlikely to be good enough - not since they have to play Liverpool at Anfield. 

I'm not too worried. I've said it before, as long as they stay focused, they should be fine. Whilst Middlesborough's season is all but over, they are going to fight until their last proverbial breath. It should be a great match to watch. I'm going to record it and I don't want to know what happens until I get home (I have to work that day [emoji853])!

I didn't even bother following the West Ham vs Spurs score on Friday night because I thought it was a done deal. Spurs were going to win 2-0 or 3-0. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the result on Saturday morning. If we win against Boro we will have one hand on the Premiership trophy. 3 points and we take a giant step towards becoming Champions. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

5 hours ago, soldiergirl84 said:

I'm not too worried. I've said it before, as long as they stay focused, they should be fine. Whilst Middlesborough's season is all but over, they are going to fight until their last proverbial breath. It should be a great match to watch. I'm going to record it and I don't want to know what happens until I get home (I have to work that day )!

I couldn't do that, if have to check the score

Really wish this game was today, it's felt the longest wait for a Chelsea game ever.

A must win for Boro, so I expect to see the best of them, at least for a portion of the game. I still believe they will play safe and rely on the odd counter attack opportunities, if someone they get a lead in the game ( first or 85th minute), we will need to be our best to break them down. I think Conte will be patient and play Kante/Matic if possible.

If Kante is not fit, I rather we play Matic/Cesc and get him ready for the WBA game.

I think we all know that the league is now ours!  I expect a 3-0 in this game, can't see anything else but a chelsea win and Hazard to score again!!!

10 hours ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

I couldn't do that, if have to check the score

That's why I turned off the notifications from BBC Sports and NBC Sports on my mobile. No spoilers. 

Less than 24 hours to go to kick off.

Come on Chelsea.

Happily settle for my usual 1-0 Chelsea win. Hope we are really up for it.

 

It is so close again ladies and gentlemen. One more win and we are within finger distance to jt lifting his last premier league trophy with us. 

Let us please accept this gift offered to us by Spurs gratefully and push on! 

Match Day.

Come on Chelsea!

I want this all wrapped up this week, starting with tonight....please. 

Come on Chelsea!!

1 hour ago, erskblue said:

Match Day.

Come on Chelsea!

No sitting on our hands tonight, acting like its a forgone conclusion, bridge has to be up for it tonight, I bet sh*te Hart lane would be if it was them in this position, lets raise the roof, Monday night on sky, so millions watching, let them hear us!! Care free

My god I've been itching for this game since Friday's result. 

Match day.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

The anticipation is killing me. We have to wait so long for this one.

Cmon Chels 2 more to go and its party time.

So apparently Agnew has been studying the Palace loss and analysing how they managed to beat us, trying to do something similar tonight. If so they better hope Valdes has a stormer like Hennessey did because if so we are going to create a lot of chances like we did that day