January
The first game of the New Year is against the old rivals Spurs, and Chelsea don't have a good record at White Hart Lane which Conte will look to change. They visit Leicester next where Chelsea lost last season handsomely and the upcoming campaign presents a great chance to change that record. Hull City are the next visitors, who will be embroiled in a relegation battle by then and cannot be taken lightly at any cost.
February
Liverpool and Arsenal are the next two games, which will be very important as both these teams will be eyeing for the top four berths. Chelsea cannot afford to lose against teams who will be having the same league aspirations as them. Wenger has struggled at Stamford Bridge and Conte will look to take note of that.
Burnley and Swansea, the other opponents in February look rather easy on paper but these teams have shown they can be superior on their day. Chelsea must not be complacent in these fixtures as the team may have an off day against these mid-table teams and can hurt them in the long run.
March
March brings the first visit to West Ham's new home ground, the Olympic Stadium, which as always is the case against the Hammers, will be a feisty affair. The Blues welcome Watford next which looks like definite three points for the home team.
Chelsea visit Stoke City next who are dangerous at home and have done well this summer to keep hold of Marko Arnautovic. 6-9 points are a must in this month and it is achievable considering the less workload the players will go through this season.
April
Another hectic month which brings another opportunity to maintain the pressure on other teams by constantly accumulating points. Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace will be the first visitors in April. Man City come calling next and this game will most certainly be a title decider and will have huge impact on the title race. The Blues visit Bournemouth next which appears to be a sure shot three points in these all important final games.
Old Trafford is the next venue as Chelsea visit Man Utd, who are getting stronger with millions spent each summer and now have added ammunition with the arrival of Jose Mourinho. Southampton travel to London next to take on Chelsea and this could be a tricky affair for the Blues.
Chelsea against Everton at Goodison Park does not evoke happy memories for the Blues, as last season produced a cliff hanger which went the way of the Toffees. Chelsea must avoid more than one defeat in these tricky set of fixtures. A good April will surely result in a better league standing come the end of May.
May
The Blues have an easy set of last games and victories in these last matches means Chelsea can run away with the league. They face Middlesborough at home which may not be a tough test for the players. They face an away fixture against West Brom before concluding the 2016-17 season against Sunderland at home, which is always a favourable way to end the league at the home ground. The games in the last month are must win games and Chelsea should gather all nine points from the three matches.
Predicted finish: Top 2
Antonio Conte is a proven winner and will bring his winning mentality at Chelsea which is needed after a disappointing last campaign. The Blues have acquired quality players and if they sign one more talented striker, they can surely challenge for the title with the Manchester clubs and Arsenal.
No European competitions will prove to be a blessing as it did for Leicester and with favourable fixtures at the end and of December, Chelsea can get back to the place where they aspire to be in the long term under Antonio Conte.
