How should Chelsea line up against Middlesbrough to take penultimate step towards Premier League title?

Thanks to West Ham United and their 1-0 win over Spurs, Chelsea are now just two wins away from the Premier League title. In fact, Chelsea can wrap up this year’s race before Spurs even have a chance to play again: a win on Monday against Middlesbrough and then on Friday at West Brom would guarantee the return of the trophy to SW6.

Those games should not be taken for granted of course and must be played with the right concentration and right focus, as Conte likes to say. As we saw with the recent loss to Crystal Palace, sometimes weird things can happen in football. As we saw with the loss to Manchester United or with Spurs’ loss just now, good teams can have bad games, too. Spurs’ loss does not change Chelsea’s m.o. and Conte will no doubt preach the same as we prepare for Middlesbrough.

What might change Chelsea’s approach is two key injury situations that are being carefully monitored ahead of Monday night. Both David Luiz (groin) and N’Golo Kanté (thigh) are nursing muscular injuries and could yet miss out.

Choose wisely.