Frustrated Jose Mourinho believes teams like Newcastle United try harder against Chelsea than in other games to try and shoot them down off the top of the Premier League.
The Blues are unbeaten this season and top the Premier League by six points ahead of reigning champions Manchester City.
Given Chelsea’s position at the top of the pile and enviable spending power thanks to the Roman Abramovich, the Special One reckons other clubs raise their game against his boys.
He said: “It's a difficult stadium, a difficult place to play.
“There are a few clubs where, clearly, they see the Chelsea shirt and they make it the game of their lives – and when they play other teams they look like like are playing friendlies.
"Maybe this is because Chelsea, in the last decade, became a strong team that everybody wants to beat.”
Nemanja Matic will miss out though after picking up his fifth booking of the campaign against Mauricio Pochettino’s men on Wednesday night.
Follow all the build-up, matchday action and post-game reaction from Newcastle United V Chelsea right here on GetWestLondon.