Following the closure of the international break once more, Chelsea face an away trip to faceAitor Karanka'sMiddlesbrough at the Riverside.
Antonio Conte's have been in fine form prior to the break in the season having won their last six Premier League games, keeping a clean-sheetin each of those matches since they lost 2-1 to Liverpool in September.
Boro have also began to pick up their form with a well fought draw against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and looking to progress on 15th place in the league.
Classic Encounter (Middlesbrough 0-5 Chelsea, October 2008)
Back in the 2008 Chelsea smashed Middlesbrough 5-0 on their own turf back in the days when current 'I'm a Celebrity' contestant Wayne Bridge was in the side.
Aside from the scoreline this match remains a classic encounter as the resultJuliano Belletti's 30-yard screamer alone, 50 minutes into the matchafter Salomon Kalou had given Chelsea an early lead.
Two minutes later Middlesbrough completed a mishap of errors with David Wheater finding the back of his own net after he diverted Kalou's shot.
Things only became worse for the home-sideas Chelsea completely outclassed their opponents in every way.Frank Lampard made it 4-0 with a diving header.
Malouda then completed his side's rout over Gareth Southgate's side with a comfortable tap in after the rebound of Anelka's strike to keep Scolari's team unbeaten at the time in 2008/09 season.
Key Battles
Ben Gibson v Diego Costa
Diego Costa has found some great form this season that sees him currently sit as the league's top goalscorer. However, Ben Gibson has also found some fine form this season that has gone somewhat under the radar with some people insistinghe should have been in the England setup over the international break, providing a key battle in this match up.
Antonio Barragan v Eden Hazard
Much like Diego Costa, Eden Hazard finds himself in some superb form, along with most of the Chelsea squad under Conte. Fine form that earned him the Player of the Month for October, with a series of spectacular individual performances, Antonio Barragan will really have his work cut out this match to limit Hazard's impact, as tough as a challenge as that can be.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Middlesbrough still remain without Spanish centre-back Daniel Ayala due to an ankle injury, while George Friend faces a race against time to be match-fit for this Sunday, but other than that Karanka faces a fully fit squad to pick from.
Eden Hazard had sparked an injury scare into Chelsea's hearts after he was substituted in his national sides 8-1 victory over Estonia, however Roberto Martinez played down any concerns.
Diego Costa is also currently a minor doubt to feature after he had to withdraw from the Spanish squad with a groin injury.
Kurt Zouma is set to return to the squad with the place on the bench having recovered from injury where he could be joined by a once fit again Cesc Fabregas.
Middlesbrough's likely lineup: Valdes, Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, De Roon,
Forshaw, Traore, Ramirez, Downing, Negredo
Chelsea's likely lineup: Courtois,Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Matic, Kante, Alonso, Pedro, Hazard, Costa
Prediction
Chelsea have shown over the last month how much of a dominant force they are this year since Conte alternated to a three at the back formation.
The squad showed their ability particularly after they embarrassed Ronald Koeman's Everton with the likes of Costa and Hazard once again showing their real worth after a poor season last year.
A change in manager and a change in tactics with a couple of new additions has turned the Blues into a title challengers once more, a force that will be too strong for Middlesbrough to overcome despite recent draws with Manchester City and Arsenal.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 0-4 Chelsea