After four wins in a row against teams Chelsea knew they should (and had to) beat, the visit to Arsenal on Sunday is a different matter. It has been six games since the last victory against Mikel Arteta's men and that is the only one in the past 11 meetings.
Three points in north London this weekend would see the gap to second place close down to just three points. Although Arsenal remain well clear of Newcastle United in sixth, Chelsea are in more of a battle.
The race for the top five is hotting up and Enzo Maresca knows that his side have a tricky end to the season. With just 10 games left, every match is vital.
That is what has made the past three weeks so crucial for Chelsea's head coach. There was no choice but to beat Leicester City and Southampton at the bottom of the league with what is left.
Starting on Sunday, Chelsea know that their season is going to be defined by the upcoming fixtures. They enter the international break in third and breathing down Arsenal's neck or they could be fifth and only one points above seventh.
Matters are so tight and congested that the picture can, has, does, and will continue to change on a near daily basis. Chelsea's hope is to remain ahead of the pack. This not only gives them leeway for potential slip-ups but also adds pressure to their rivals.
Chelsea are not playing champagne football right now, though. To some degree this does not matter as it is time for results to take over. On the back of beating FC Copenhagen narrowly on Thursday with a rotated side, changes are expected to follow. Here, football.london takes a look at how Maresca will set his side up for such a crucial game.
Tom Coley
Maresca has already confirmed that Robert Sanchez is back in goal. He hasn't done anything to generate the confidence of the fanbase or backline, though, which makes the rotation and flip-flopping with Filip Jorgensen a strange call.
The defence could be at its best on paper with Reece James returning alongside Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella. That is a good-looking back four but might still be changed if Maresca wanted to put James into midfield with Malo Gusto returning.
Whether Cucurella or James would invert is also one to watch, as is how things shape up further forward. Romeo Lavia being available is extremely important as Chelsea have looked more balanced with him in the side. It would change how Maresca sets up in-possession, though.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo definitely start, it is just the composition of bodies that is unclear. Fernandez could push up to become a No.10 but that eats into Cole Palmer's spot. Palmer could shift to the right or into his favoured pocket between the lines but that would need a full-back to hold the width.
There are lots of tweaks Maresca could make but the personnel is relatively settled. Pedro Neto keeps his place in the Premier League team at centre forward, at least for one more match. The left-wing spot is open after Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku's continue poor form.
Tyrique George deserves his chance and could open up a game between two teams struggling to find their spark. It would be a big shift if he is to start but George has definitely earned it.
Coley's XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Lavia; Palmer, Neto, George.
Sam Truelove
Chelsea can make a real statement here. The Blues have the quality to cause a weakened Arsenal team problems and even a draw at Emirates Stadium would be a success. Maresca must get his team selection spot on, though.
Sanchez will start in goal and should have Fofana and Colwill as his centre-back partnership in front of him. Cucurella is the obvious starter at left-back but the other side may depend on the fitness of Malo Gusto. The Frenchman has missed the Blues' last two games and could come in here, but if not fit I would start James. The Chelsea captain could have a big say on what happens at Emirates Stadium.
Midfield is also a position James could play if Gusto is fit. If the Englishman does indeed play at right-back, then Caicedo and Lavia would be my centre-midfield paring. Lavia returned to the bench last week and Maresca has previously shown he is not afraid to throw the Belgian into the action.
That means Fernandez plays slightly higher, so Palmer plays on the right. On the other flank I would start Sancho and then my striker of choice would be Neto. Nkunku hasn't done enough for me in recent weeks but can still have a say off the bench.
Truelove's XI : Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Neto, Sancho.
football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel
Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!