Before Chelsea, no side in the Conference League had ever scored more than 18 goals in the group stage of the competition. Different format, granted, but Enzo Maresca's men end with 26 from their six matches.

Five of those came here in a comprehensive win against the second-best team in Ireland last season. It's no real surprise that Chelsea have been too good, even with a second-string side nobly supported by a cast of Cobham's finest.

Against Shamrock Rovers, Maresca went stronger than he had one week earlier away to Astana. Still with three teenagers selected - Marc Guiu rewarded him with a first-half hat-trick whilst Tyrique George impressed again and Josh Acheampong started once more - it was all too easy.

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Chelsea continued their fine form across the board, though, and good feeling really is rife within the squad. Even with the potential distraction of Mykhailo Mudryk's suspension after a positive drug test, Maresca has brought the positivity and his side are playing with all the confidence and quality that their squad promised.

On two fronts they are right in the mix. For the Conference League it will remain a giant shock if they don't go on to win it, and do it relatively smoothly, at that. In the Premier League there are bigger doubts and challenges.

Here, football.london compares their upcoming fixtures over the winter period to the title rivals.

Everton (A) - Premier League - Sunday, December 22

Chelsea's bogey fixture. This is a horrible match historically for the club but Maresca has done well in overcoming those for much of his first season so far.

Everton aren't the most fun to watch but they don't give much away anymore and have conceded more than once in just a single game from the last 12 fixtures, which says it all. Boosted by the Friedkin Group takeover being confirmed, Goodison Park will be rocking and ready.

Fulham (H) - Premier League - Thursday, December 26

Despite being extremely functional, there isn't the same level of worry and threat associated with Fulham. Chelsea have fared well in matches against their rivals recently and will be confident of doing the same here.

Marco Silva's side have pushed Manchester City and then taken points from Arsenal and Liverpool too. They do have weapons and will be a challenge similar to Brentford in terms of awkwardness and organisation.

Ipswich Town (A) - Premier League - Monday, December 30

There are banana skin games and then there are banana skin games. This has all the hallmarks of a troubling winter game at a rocking promoted side's stadium.

However, Chelsea have Champions League quality throughout the squad and Kieran McKenna has players who were in League One just two years ago. If Maresca can get his players to turn up then this should be a one-way result.

Crystal Palace (A) - Premier League - Saturday, January 4

Palace have shown some signs - albeit fleeting - of getting back to being the team they were at the end of last season. Chelsea nearly dropped points before Oliver Glasner arrived, though, and will be more than aware of how tough a game at Selhurst Park can be.

If Ipswich is a banana skin match then this as a follow up has plenty to be wary of as well. Chelsea are a strong unit and will be well fancied for a reason, regardless.

Morecambe (H) - FA Cup - Saturday, January 11

A game that will surely take the look of a Conference League one for the bulk of the squad. This an opportunity for yet more young players to have a run out at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are desperate to get a first trophy of the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly reign and will see the FA Cup as a more competitive and bigger reward than the Conference League.

Liverpool next five fixtures in all competitions

Tottenham (A) - Premier League - Sunday, December 22.

Leicester City (H) - Premier League - Thursday, December 26.

West Ham (A) - Premier League - Sunday, December 29.

Manchester United (H) - Premier League - Sunday, January 5.

Accrington Stanley (H) - FA Cup - Saturday, January 11.

Arsenal next five fixtures in all competitions

Crystal Palace (A) - Premier League - Saturday, December 21.

Ipswich Town (H) - Premier League - Friday, December 27.

Brentford (A) - Premier League - Wednesday, January 1.

Brighton (A) - Premier League - Saturday, January, 4.

Manchester United (H) - FA Cup - Sunday, January 12.

Manchester City next five fixtures in all competitions

Aston Villa (A) - Premier League - Saturday, Saturday, December 21.

Everton (H) - Premier League - Thursday, December 26.

Leicester City (A) - Premier League - Sunday, December 29.

West Ham (H) - Premier League - Saturday, January 4.

Salford City (H) - FA Cup - Saturday, January 11.