Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 19.
Chelsea
Winning just two of their last six Premier League matches, Chelsea's form has dropped ahead of their Boxing Day trip to rejuvenated Aston Villa.
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Key absentees have not helped their cause, but Thomas Tuchel's side have lacked their usual control and assurance.
Lapses in concentration at the back have been costly. In midfield they have looked one-paced. Up front there has been a lack of spark.
The one exception is Mason Mount, who has scored in four of his last five Premier League starts.
Across the last six matches, Mount has been responsible for 40 per cent of Chelsea's clearest open-play chances, those with at least a 10 per cent Expected Goal rating (xG). He is the man Villa should fear most.
Diminished threat in open play
After a blistering start to the campaign, the speed and fluidity of Chelsea's attacks have slowed.
Across the first six matches every good chance they created, with at least a 10 per cent xG rating, was from open play thanks to their fast breaks and incisive football.
Tuchel's men created even more quality opportunities throughout the next run of six matches, adding several set-piece efforts to their collection.
However, since comprehensively beating Leicester City 3-0 on 20 November, we have seen a major shift in the way the Blues manufacture clear-cut efforts on goal.
Source of Chelsea's clear chances*
| 2021/22 | MW1-6 | MW7-12 | MW13-18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open play | 14 | 19 | 10 |
| Set-pieces | 0 | 8 | 11 |
*10 per cent xG and above
In the below-par spell that has followed, many of Chelsea's better chances have stemmed from dead-ball situations.
Ben Chilwell's absence at left wing-back has impacted their attacking balance.
And without a fully-fit Romelu Lukaku or Timo Werner, the Blues have struggled to get past opponents in the same way they did earlier in the season.
At the same time, while their clean sheet in the goalless draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers will have boosted morale, Chelsea have looked more vulnerable.
Chelsea's goals conceded
| 2021/22 | MW1-12 | MW13-18 |
| Goals conceded | 4 | 8 |
|---|
If at least one of N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic is absent from central midfield, as has been the case during their recent dip in form, Chelsea lose a lot of athleticism. This has helped opponents get more of a foothold.
Earlier in the season, Tuchel's side gave nothing away, but individual mistakes have crept into their play.
This was evident against Everton and Leeds United, and in the 3-2 loss at West Ham United when miscommunication between Edouard Mendy and Jorginho cost them a goal.
Chelsea beat Villa 3-0 at home in September but in that match the visitors still caused the Blues' back three a host of problems, registering 18 shots to the hosts' 12.
Tuchel will hope Mount can continue his form and that there will be an improvement at both ends of the pitch as Chelsea seek to get their title charge back on track over the festive period.