Depending on how Europa League goes, Chelsea has between 10 and 13 matches remaining. Those matches will be telling for Chelsea’s future.
There have been a few do or die periods this season. The January run of Tottenham, Newcastle, Arsenal, and Tottenham again proved inconclusive. The February Manchester City (6-0) to Tottenham (2-0 win) was a literal roller coaster that showed little. But now Chelsea is down to 10, 12, or 13 matches remaining in the season. The final table and trophy winners list will not lie as Chelsea look to show their capabilities.
31 March: Cardiff Away
Cardiff is fighting for their Premier League survival. They have done well for themselves for most of the season but they are losing ground in the race. It will come down to the wire for them and Chelsea is lucky to get them early on in the final stretch. The top four rivals (besides Tottenham who go away to Liverpool) all have easier, winnable fixtures this weekend so Chelsea need to avoid a slip up.
3 April: Brighton at Home
Chelsea’s match against Brighton has finally been rescheduled and it is best that the Blues have it early on. Brighton will probably end up on the safe side of relegation, but they have been dragged into the battle. Chelsea will not want to be the team that gives them a safety net. The Blues should take care of this one while hoping Brighton is distracted by their FA Cup fixture.
8 April: West Ham at Home
West Ham is a Frankenstein side like Everton, but the difference is that they are much better at getting the right pieces on the field at the same time. This is very much a rebuild season for them and they are starting to look like a side that will be dangerous next year. But for now, they are just going through the midtable motions. Still, this is a London Derby and they will turn up to ruin Chelsea’s day if they can.