Chelsea couldn’t beat Stoke City in all three meetings last season (in all competitions), but Chelsea look a different team under Antonio Conte, and the Blues have beaten the Potters once this season, and BBC‘s Mark Lawrenson expects another victory for the Blues at the Bet365 Stadium.

“Turning into the home straight – I am composing this column from the Cheltenham festival, so please forgive the horse racing analogy – they are no closer to being caught, and for me Kante is the biggest single factor in their march towards the title.

“In the past, Footballer of the Year awards have often gone to players with a ‘wow’ factor – but in 2017, it would be a huge shock if the gongs didn’t go to the best mopping-up act in the world.

“Kante should become the first player to win the Premier League in consecutive seasons with two different clubs – and he has made two defences took almost impenetrable in the process.”