In one corner, Chelsea FC are just two wins away from officially claiming the 2016-17 Premier League title. In the other corner, you have Middlesbrough who will be relegated with a loss.
Chelsea have a pair of injury doubts in David Luiz (knee) and N’Golo Kante (thigh), but we may not know until kickoff whether each, or both, are match fit.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has an ankle knock, but he is expected to play. (Go here for the Chelsea starting XI prediction)
On the other side, Middlesbrough duo Grant Leadbitter and Adlene Guedioura returned to training after recovering from hamstring and groin injuries. Both might see action in this one.
Gaston Ramirez is likely to miss out with a pelvic problem, while Victor Valdes and Daniel Ayala remain doubts. With Tottenham Hotspur being upset by West Ham United on Friday night, Chelsea FC pretty much have the Premier League title wrapped up. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino made comments in the postgame media session that seemingly implied concession of the league title already.
Odds via Sky Bet
Chelsea – 1/6, Draw – 13/2, Middlesbrough – 16/1
Prediction: Chelsea FC 2, Middlesbrough 0
The league champions-in-waiting are hugely favored, and for good reason. However, Blues boss Antonio Conte still sees this one shaping up to be a great game.
“There will be two teams desperate for a result on Monday,” the manager said. “For this reason, we will see a really good game on Monday.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube