Chelsea will look to keep the pressure on those above them when they host Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
The Blues moved two points behind league leaders Liverpool with a goalless draw against Arsenal in a London derby on Monday, a result that also lifted them into the top four of the Premier League table.
Jose Mourinho's men haven't been in great form in recent weeks, however, scraping past Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the league while losing to Stoke City and being eliminating from the League Cup at the hands of the Black Cats.
However, the Portuguese manager has his side picking up regular points in the league as they continue to climb the table, and another victory on Thursday could see them rise to the top of the pile depending on results elsewhere.
Mourinho is still unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League over both of his spells in charge of the club, and this season he has seen Chelsea win seven of their eight games in front of their own fans.
However, he is expected to make changes for the match with one eye on Sunday's game against Liverpool, with Ashley Cole likely to return and Michael Essien in line for a start having missed the Arsenal game through suspension.
Swansea, meanwhile, have won just one of their last seven matches and two of their last 13 in all competitions going into Thursday's game.
Michael Laudrup's side have struggled for consistency this season and failure to beat Chelsea would make it five games without a win for the Welsh outfit.
They have won just one of their last eight away matches this season, although that victory did come on their last trip to West London courtesy of a 2-1 triumph over Fulham.
The bad news for the visitors is that Michu has been ruled out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury, while Michel Vorm and Nathan Dyer are still some way from full fitness.
Recent form
Chelsea: WLWWLD
Swansea: LWDLDL
Possible starting lineups
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Essien; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Eto'o
Swansea: Tremmel; Tiendalli, Chico, Williams, Davies, Canas, De Guzman, Shelvey, Hernandez, Routledge; Bony
Sports Mole says: 2-0
Barney Corkhill
