Who missed the blues?
We all did!It actually seemed as though it has been over a month since we trashed Everton on the Bridge on fireworks night but there was some nice moments during the break. Eden Hazard continued scoring while the duo of Victor and Mikel helped Nigeria past Algeria with three goals. Cahill also delivered a trademark header putting him on three goals for both club and country this season.Not bad for a side that many are mistakenly writing off to mount a title challenge.May will tell.

Focus switches to this weekend's test trip to the Riverbank Stadium to take on Aitor Karanka's men.The Boro's spent seven years away from top league football before winning promotion as the second best team in the championship last season.

Our hosts on Sunday have managed eleven points so far,not a bad return considering they are only a point off defending champions Leicester City. In fact, they managed to salvage a draw last time out against City meaning we can't rule out surprises.The blues however has secured maximum points against the other two newly promoted teams Burnley and Hull.

The blues are in a rich vein of form in recent week,scoring sixteen times and conceding none over a period of 500+ minutes.Everton will not forget their last ninety minutes of football in a hurry though they will be wishing to.It would seem a bit arrogant to go over the details of that win though as football is unpredictable meaning we may not continue a sequence of victories at home,3:0 vs Leicester,4:0 vs United and 5:0 vs Everton.

Middlesbrough Vs Chelsea Head To Head

This is the 152nd meeting of both teams with the most recent ending in a 0:2 FA cup win for the blues.Chelsea have won 54 times while the hosts have won on 31 occasions.There has also been 29 stalemates.

The blues are unbeaten in the last six meetings against Boro conceding none and could achieve a double six by securing victory with a shutout on Sunday.

Recent League Meetings

10-02-2007 Chelsea 3:0 Middlesbrough

20-10-2007 Middlesbrough 0:2 Chelsea

30-03-2008 Chelsea 1:0 Middlesbrough

18-10-2008 Middlesbrough 0:5 Chelsea

28-01-2009 Chelsea 2:0 Middlesbrough

Team News 

 Aitor Karanka should be able to call on the same team that secured that vital draw against City. Victor Valdes did a great work in between the sticks on that day but he will have to be at his very very best he can thwart Chelsea's on fire attackers.Alvaro Negredo leads the line for our opponents.

Conte should have no fresh injury concerns except for Diego Costa who aggravated a groin problem while on international duty The striker however has received proper medical care and is in line to start at the Riverside Stadium.Kurt Zouma and Cesc Fabregas has also recovered in time and could make do with a place on the bench at least.

Chelsea Probable XI
Courtois;Azpilicueta, Luiz,Cahill ;Alonso, Kante, Matic, Moses;Hazard,Costa,Pedro.

Kickoff Time is 16:00 GMT

Go Blues!