Chelsea will be bidding to ensure vital qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League as the return of the Premier League edges closer.
Graham Potter's side has suffered a torrid time as of late - having failed to win since October - when they beat Aston Villa 2-0. The Blues may look to the transfer market for further reinforcements in January, with forward Armando Broja out for the rest of the season following his recent setback.
With the mid-season break perhaps presenting Chelsea with a vital chance for a reset, Potter's side will hope to close the gap on the Premier League's top four, with eight points currently separating themselves and Spurs.
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With all that being said, football.london has taken an in-depth look at the Blues' next five domestic encounters, as they aim to enter 2023 in fine fettle...
Chelsea vs Bournemouth - 27 December - Stamford Bridge - 17:30 KO
Bournemouth, down in 14th, will hope Gary O'Neil's first Premier League game in charge as official boss can bring a stroke of luck, as they make the trip to the capital in just a few short days.
Having beaten the Blues at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League back in December 2019, the Cherries will hope for similar fortunes this time around too, marking two years since their last visit.
Kieffer Moore leads the scoring charts for Bournemouth so far this season along with Philip Billing, having both found the net four times in total.
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - 01 January - The City Ground - 16:30 KO
Having added a mere 23 new faces through the door this summer, Nottingham Forest have gone to extremes in trying to secure their future in the top flight and beyond this season.
Currently sitting 18th in the table, Chelsea's undoubted attacking quality should be enough to see them over the line in Nottinghamshire - with the Tricky Trees having won just twice at home all season.
Forest haven't beaten the Blues since 1997, and with a keen record to protect, it is one you expect Potter's men to safely pick up three points from.
Chelsea vs Manchester City - 05 January - Stamford Bridge - 20:00 KO
Chasing back-to-back Premier League titles this season, Manchester City know they must put their foot on the gas if they have any chance of catching Arsenal in the second half of the season.
Erling Haaland has been raring to go after almost a month and will hope to build on his superb start to life here in England, with work to do for Kalidou Kouilbaly and co against the Cityzens.
Raheem Sterling returns to face his former side, but again it is a game where the Blues must take the contest to Pep Guardiola's side, as January's action springs into life.
Fulham v Chelsea - Craven Cottage - 12 January - 20:00 KO
This west London derby's first instalment sees Chelsea travel to Craven Cottage just a week after the Manchester City clash, with the Cottagers enjoying a strong start having returned back to the Premier League.
At the time of writing, Marco Silva's side are comfortably sitting in the middle of the table, having beaten the likes of Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa thus far.
The ever-threatening Alexsandr Mitrovic will be one Chelsea will no doubt have to keep a keen eye on throughout, with the Serbian international having already notched nine goals this season.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace - Stamford Bridge - 15 January - 14:00 KO
Returning to Stamford Bridge just three days later, Crystal Palace presents the next challenge for Potter and co to overcome, having played five times in the space of just over three-and-a-half weeks.
The Eagles are again having a somewhat mediocre season, Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha are just standouts thus far for Patrick Vieira's men.
Hoping to extend on an impressive unbeaten run that hasn't seen Chelsea lose against their fellow London counterparts since 2017, the clash again presents a solid chance of victory.
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