Chelsea will run through a brick wall to win title - Antonio Conte's men look like they're on an unstoppable charge

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Chelsea will be top at Christmas after victory at Sunderland on Wednesday made it a perfect 10 Premier League wins in a row.

In the spirit of the festive season, Sportsmail enlisted the help of our very own Three Wise Men — Jamie Redknapp, Martin Keown and Chris Sutton — to assess the title credentials of Antonio Conte's side...

Chelsea are flying high at the top of the Premier League after a run of 10 consecutive wins

Cesc Fabregas scored the winner at Sunderland on Wednesday night to keep up their run

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SO WILL CHELSEA WIN IT? 

Martin Keown: From what we have seen so far, yes. When you compare them with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, Chelsea have the best balance.

They are rinsing out results — giving nothing away and doing enough to win.

January will be a vital month for Chelsea as their rivals will be hoping they slip up in head-to-heads at Tottenham and Liverpool. 

Chris Sutton: It's looking that way. They have ground out 1-0 wins in their last couple of games and that is a really good sign.

They have conceded just 11 goals — the joint-fewest with Tottenham — and that has to bode well. 

Jamie Redknapp: I still think there is a lot of work to be done. I say this because in their last four games they could have easily picked up four points rather than 12.

Chelsea are in a fantastic position and everything has gone in their favour with them not playing European football but they only have to lose one of Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante or Diego Costa and things can change.

But there is no denying they are in great form and playing out of their skins. 

Chelsea showed they can grind out results against the likes of West Bromwich Albion of late

Eden Hazard missed Wednesday's win but any longer absence could upset Chelsea's charge

EXPLAIN THE TRANSFORMATION... 

JR: Chelsea have Costa and Hazard fit and firing, signed Kante — the key ingredient in Leicester's title success — and a manager, Antonio Conte, who the players will run through walls for. 

CS: It has been a remarkable turnaround. You have to credit the manager as the players this season are completely transformed.

Tactically, Conte had the ability to change things after the Arsenal defeat and has found a system that suits.

Chelsea are giving their opponents all sorts of problems and are the only team who can play three at the back so well. 

Manager Antonio Conte has assembled a team that will run through walls for his cause

MK: Jose Mourinho's tough love went a little too far last season and the players lost respect. After the Arsenal defeat this season, Branislav Ivanovic said Chelsea started the game not believing in what they were doing.

As soon as Conte smelled division in the group he reverted to type and played three at the back. They have played off that platform ever since.

Conte understands the role and responsibility of every player. He is getting the best out of his players. 

Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal in September - the last league game they did not win

WILL THEY BREAK ARSENAL'S RECORD? 

MK: Arsenal won 14 on the bounce and I think Chelsea will beat that.

I played in that record-breaking Arsenal side and remember our last defeat before that run was against Newcastle in December 2001. After the game, Bobby Robson said that we needed to learn to lose.

It gave us a real determination that we weren't going to be defeated and we remained unbeaten until the following October.

I see a similar determination in this Chelsea team — particularly in the way their manager celebrates and the enthusiasm he is bringing.

CS: It would be a nice record to break and a feat nobody could have seen them achieving at the start of the season, but it will not be going through the players' or manager's minds.

Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg celebrate during Arsenal's record streak in 2002

They have a good run of games up next against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Stoke and they will be looking to extend their six-point cushion. 

JR: They have a fantastic chance and given their current form you would say yes.

Their next three matches are winnable but equally it wouldn't surprise me if Crystal Palace picked up an unusual result when Chelsea go to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Chelsea are on a fantastic run of form and face Crystal Palace next in the Premier League

WHO'S THEIR MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER?

JR: Eden Hazard. He is the best player in the Premier League. He decides football matches and is back to the form of two years ago. He is fit again, hungry again and is making and scoring goals. If you could sign any Premier League player, Hazard is who you would want. 

CS: Diego Costa without a doubt. He is in his best spell at Chelsea. Costa is strong, sharp, quick, powerful and looking unplayable. His goal against West Brom summed him up. It was a brilliant, confident finish. Keeping him fit will be key. 

MK: N'Golo Kante is a very special player. He does the job of two players and his work-rate affords Conte the luxury of being able to play Hazard and Pedro.

If Kante got injured, Conte may have to make two changes to bring in more defensive-minded players. 

Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante have both been key figures in Chelsea's rise to the top

WHAT DO THEY NEED IN JANUARY? 

JR: I'm sure Chelsea would love to find the next Ashley Cole to play in their system as a left wing back, although they are difficult to find. Marcos Alonso has done ever so well but it is an area where Chelsea can improve.

I would also look for cover up front. Unlike Costa, Michy Batshuayi doesn't look the most intelligent of forwards. When Costa is on form he is unplayable — he holds the ball up, scores goals and is a nasty piece of work.

If Costa gets injured for the rest of the season, you would struggle to see how they would win the League given their back-up options.

Chelsea do not have much cover for summer signing Marcos Alonso at left wing back

MK: There are not too many changes you need to make. There is a lot resting on Diego Costa and I don't see another Costa in this group.

Conte played two strikers at Juventus and with Italy so he might be on the lookout for another forward. He may also need to look at another left wing back. 

CS: Their first XI is incredibly strong so I don't think they need to add much in January. I think it is more a case of keeping the current team fit — and not playing in Europe will be a big help.

Conte does not have replacements for Costa who could replicate his impact on the team

WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIVALS? 

MK: The winner of Manchester City vs Arsenal on Sunday will have a huge say in who challenges Chelsea — although Conte's side will be happy to sit back and watch their rivals knock lumps out of each other!

If Pep Guardiola can find the right formula I feel City can go on an equally impressive run as Chelsea.

Arsenal have got a chance but when they get a bad result it seems to affect the group a great deal.

Liverpool need to work on their game management. It seems like they only know one way of playing. 

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City could pull together a run of consecutive wins of their own

CS: I still believe Manchester City will provide the biggest test because there is so much more to come from them. On their day they are as good as anyone with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and David Silva. The Leicester defeat may have done Pep Guardiola a favour in forcing him to sort out City's back line.

As for Arsenal, how will they respond after the Everton defeat? It looks like they are less likely to capitulate this year but, like Costa for Chelsea, keeping Alexis Sanchez fit is the key.

Liverpool have been a revelation. I like their brand of football but I'm not sure if they are strong enough to win the title. 

Arsenal have the likes of Alexis Sanchez to call on in their bid for a first title in 13 years

JR: This season is still so difficult to predict with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham all in the running — while Manchester United should be doing so much better with the players at their disposal.

What we are seeing from Chelsea is the sort of run you want in March or April. I'm not sure if it can continue — it might be the best run they have all season.

Chelsea are only six points clear. Even though they are not in Europe, we don't know what toll Conte's intense training will take on the players in terms of fatigue later in the season. 

Liverpool have been phenomenal under Jurgen Klopp - and won at Middlesbrough this week

DECEMBER 2015: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR (AND A NEW BOSS) MAKES.... 

This time last year Chelsea were just one point clear of the relegation zone after an horrendous start to their title defence.

Jose Mourinho paid for the slump with his job — he was sacked a year ago on Saturday.

After Guus Hiddink steadied the ship for the rest of the season, Antonio Conte came in and has transformed Chelsea into a winning machine.

After 10 wins in a row they are six points clear at the top — with 25 points more than at this stage in 2015. 

A Chelsea fan holds a banner criticising Hazard, Fabregas and Costa during last year's slump

WHO IS THE HOTTEST PLAYER IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE RIGHT NOW? 

CHRIS SUTTON: DIEGO COSTA

Alexis Sanchez may run him close but I have been so impressed with how Diego Costa has led the line for Chelsea.

He has his head screwed on the right way this season — he even played the peacemaker during the fracas at Manchester City.

He is scoring goals, bringing others into play and if he carries on this form he will romp to the Player of the Year award. 

Costa is scoring goals and bringing others into play to form some outstanding performances

MARTIN KEOWN: N'GOLO KANTE

Diego Costa may be the obvious choice but when it comes to Chelsea's success, N'Golo Kante is the most important player.

Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 system only works if Kante is on the teamsheet. He is Chelsea's guardian angel — on every team-mate's shoulder making sure they are protected.

His work-rate allows Conte to play two attack-minded wingers in Eden Hazard and Pedro. The fact Leicester are a shadow of their title-winning side without him shows just how good Kante has been.

Kante won the Premier League title with Leicester City and could be on course for it again

JAMIE CARRAGHER: ADAM LALLANA 

The biggest compliment I can give Adam Lallana at the moment is when he is not in Liverpool's team, you can see the hole he leaves.

He's been outstanding this season and his performance at Middlesbrough was his best yet, which is why I tweeted he is the hottest English player in the league.

He has always been very skilful and silky on the ball but he is the perfect player for Jurgen Klopp with the way he runs and presses. Lallana has made giant strides in 2016 and long may that continue.

Adam Lallana has been outstanding for Liverpool and has made some big strides in 2016

JAMIE REDKNAPP: EDEN HAZARD 

I love watching him at the moment. He wants to take games by the scruff of the neck. He didn't look fit last season but now we are seeing the Hazard of 18 months ago. When he picks the ball up, it's a different game.

No one can run with the ball at pace like he does and still have the end product. Hazard is an incredibly gifted player.

Hazard takes the game by the scruff of the neck and his end product is paired with gifted play