After a couple of weeks with no Premier League football, Chelsea return to action this weekend in a game against Middlesbrough…

Chelsea were on a roll before the break, but how they will fare following a couple of weeks away is anyone’s guess.

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Middlesbrough will, undoubtedly, represent a strong test for the Blues – with the newly-promoted side impressing under Aitor Karanka so far this season.

Nonetheless, Chelsea will be expected to win the game, and win it comfortably – with a couple of very high profile games coming up over the next few weeks for the Blues.

Antonio Conte will have to get his tactics and team selection spot on – and there are a few things that he simply must do if Chelsea are going to come away with the victory…

With that said, here are 3 things Conte absolutely must do for Chelsea to beat Middlesbrough on Saturday…

 Same Approach

Simply put – Conte must persist with the same approach against Middlesbrough.

Conte has instilled a ruthless efficiency within the Blues camp as of late, which is a real change from past regimes.

Often under Jose Mourinho, the Blues would limp towards the end of the game with a goal advantage – only to lose focus towards the end and miss out on the 3 points.

Under Antonio Conte – there has been none of that.

Chelsea look switched on until the end of the game, and they have oftentimes been 3 or 4 goals ahead by the time the final whistle blows.

Conte must dominate sides if he wants to succeed this season.

 Start Diego Costa

There have been calls to rest Diego Costa over the last few weeks, with concerns surrounding his fitness and the fact that he is one yellow away from suspension.

These claims come with very little merit, as Costa is set to be fit for the game – and he can’t tread on eggs shells forever.

He will get a final yellow eventually and miss a game, of course, but this game is no less important than upcoming fixtures against Man City or Tottenham.

In fact, this game represents a really winnable fixture for the Blues – and Conte must start Diego Costa to ensure that they leave with all 3 points.

 Stick with 3-4-3

This is an obvious one – but also a very important one.

Antonio Conte simply must carry on using his famous 3-4-3 formation – as it is working wonders as Stamford Bridge.

A switch away from a 4-man defence has been refreshing – and Conte must look to continue in that vein.

It is working, and it should form the basis of a dominant win against Middlesbrough.

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