The team news for Chelsea vs Middlesbrough is out, and as expected N’Golo Kante is absent from the starting lineup. Cesc Fabregas will start in place of the Frenchman and the rest of the squad is unchanged.

Chelsea starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Fabregas, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard.

subs: Begovic, Terry, Zouma, Ake, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Willian

Middlesbrough Starting XI: Guzan, Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Friend (c), De Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Traore, Negredo, Downing.

Subs: Dimi, Barragan, Bernado, Leadbitter, Guedoria, Bamford, Gestede