Chelsea are undefeated in their last 13 matches but an away trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium will test their recent run of good form in the Premier League.
The champions of England are seeing their title slip away due to City's incredible form, who have won 19 and drawn two of their 21 Premier League games.
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger's side lag below Chelsea in the league table but can strengthen their claim with a win over their rivals in the first of three meetings in a busy January schedule for both sides, having also drawn each other in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
CHELSEA INJURIES
David Luiz is likely to still be missing; the Brazilian is still nursing a knee complaint and is without a Premier League appearance since October 28 although he is thought to be close to a return.
The Brazil international could return against Norwich but won't likely start against Arsenal. Charly Musonda could also start in the FA Cup third round matches as he nears a recovery from a foot complaint.
Gary Cahill has been playing in the middle of the back three but Andreas Christensen will likely return to that role after he recovered from an illness bug to make the bench in the 5-0 win over Stoke City.
Chelsea are thought to have no other injury worries ahead of this weekend's match. Baba Rahman is still out with a long term knee injury.
CHELSEA SUSPENSIONS
Chelsea have no players currently suspended. The Premier League rules also now state that 10 yellow cards are needed to earn a ban for accumulation after the 19 game deadline has been passed by all clubs in the league.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Conte rested a number of players against a weak Stoke City side at the weekend but he will go with his strongest possible line up against any top six side.
Chelsea's next game after Arsenal is against lower league opposition in the FA Cup where he will be more likely to give opportunities to young and fringe players.
Eden Hazard was one of those rested against Stoke and he will come back into the side. Christensen will also likely return in place of Cahill. Victor Moses, N'Golo Kante and Alvaro Morata were all substituted against Stoke as the Blues won the game early, all those players will start.
Chelsea may be tempted to play in a 3-5-2 formation against Arsenal to continue their great defensive record of late. They have four consecutive clean sheets in the league.
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Arsenal have been rocked by the news that Mesut Ozil is a major doubt for the match against Chelsea. He has a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have a number of other injuries including the FA Cup final goalscorer Aaron Ramsey who has a hamstring issue. Olivier Giroud also has a hamstring injury and is very unlikely to return.
Nacho Monreal has an ankle injury and Sead Kolasinac was injured in a challenge with Gareth Barry in the last match against West Bromwich Albion. He is a doubt after taking a heavy knock.
Santi Cazorla is long-term injured for Arsenal who has had surgery nine times in 14 months on his ankle. Laurent Koscielny, meanwhile, is also a doubt for the game.
TV CHANNEL & KICK OFF TIME
The match takes place at 19:45 GMT on Wednesday and the match will be broadcasted live on SkySports in the UK.
In the United States (US), Everton v Chelsea can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
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Arsenal won this exact fixture 3-0 last season, after a five-game winless run against them in the Premier League at the Emirates (D3 L2).
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In all competitions, no team has won more away games at the Emirates Stadium than Chelsea (5, level
with Man Utd). -
There have been six red cards in the last seven meetings between these sides in all competitions, with Chelsea having a player sent off in each of the last three.
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Chelsea have lost their last two Premier League London derbies this season (vs Crystal Palace and West Ham). They’ve not lost three in a row since the 2001-02 season when they lost to West Ham, Charlton and Arsenal between October and December.
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Antonio Conte’s side have also won their last six Premier League home games – only Manchester City (9)
are on a longer current run. -
21 of Chelsea’s top-flight goals this season have come via Spanish players, more than any other side in Europe’s big five leagues.
